Amazon Community Medicine, Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Puyo

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Description: Participate in community healthcare services and learn about the healthcare challenges facing rural communities like those in the Amazonian border town of Puyo. In Puyo, students will witness the ways in which socioeconomic and cultural factors have shaped the healthcare system of the region. As in other developing South American countries, meager financial means, adherence to traditional medical practices, and lack of access to healthcare providers often hamper the rural population's ability to seek healthcare services. Students will observe and assist (to a limited degree) local medical practitioners in their efforts to address this need for healthcare services in rural regions.

The Community Medicine Program begins with one week of Spanish classes and an orientation to Ecuadorian culture in the capital city of Quito, including clinical rotations at a local tertiary care hospital. The remainder of the program will be spent in Puyo, where students will participate in clinical rotations. The unique rotations can include the opportunities to work with Puyo Department of Indigenous Health or walk to remote areas of the jungle to visit indigenous communities.

This program focuses on a holistic approach to community medicine in rural areas including indigenous health. Participants may gain exposure to common diseases such as: scabies, fungal infections, parasites, malaria, diarrhea, pulmonary infections, pneumonia and TB, as well as public health issues facing the community.

Highlights: Participants will:

* Learn about the healthcare system in the Amazon region of Ecuador This program will focus on the community level. which consists of three levels: hospital, ambulatory, and community-based.

* Identify and appreciate the differences between the urban and rural government institutions, including social security, faith-based healthcare services, NGOs and others.

* Learn about in the challenges patients face in accessing healthcare due to geographical and cultural barriers, and the efforts by local healthcare personnel to overcome these barriers (i.e. community health visits)

* Learn about indigenous healthcare beliefs by visiting local indigenous communities such as Shiwakocha (Kichwa), Uwijint (Shuar) and Jatari (mixed)

Program Offers:
* Clinical Rotation/Academic Credit Assistance
* Language Training Component
* Guided Service-Learning
* Accommodations
   
Clinical Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications:    
* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish
* For those who are not completely confident with their language skills before participation in the program, we strongly recommend that you arrive at your program site early and pay extra for additional Spanish instruction before you begin the CFHI program. If you have Minimal Spanish skills and still wish to participate in the program, please call our office before applying.

This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation.We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Cost in US$: Approx. 2,000 for 4 weeks

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Scholarships are Available. As available-- see CFHI website for details.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement: Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a nonprofit that builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives to advance quality healthcare for all.

Year Founded: 1993