Child Family Health International

[daktari]

Has anyone participated in Child Family Health International before? Preferably in the Rural Himilayan rotation, but any will do. I'm thinking of going this summer for 8 weeks and was hoping someone'd be willing to share their experiences with it. Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Has anyone participated in Child Family Health International before? Preferably in the Rural Himilayan rotation, but any will do. I'm thinking of going this summer for 8 weeks and was hoping someone'd be willing to share their experiences with it. Thanks!

I did CFHI in South Africa, and it was a great trip. I did it before medical school though, and I would love to go back in my fourth year (where I had any idea what I was doing, what was going on, and could possibly help). Anyway, it's a well run org.. Have any specific questions?

 

[diosa428]

I went to Ecuador (Quito) with them last summer for 4 weeks. I also had a great experience. If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[robotsonic]

I am doing the Rural Himalayan Rotation in April. I sent an email to them asking for the names of previous students who completed that rotation and then I emailed all of them asking about their experiences. In summary, most of them loved it, but said that they didn't really get to do much with patients - if you don't speak hindi then you pretty much have to shadow the physicians and not do anything on your own. The ones who liked it the most were pre-clinical students; the ones in third or fourth year of med school were more annoyed about the lack of actual hands-on experience. But everyone liked it overall.

Although I'm an MS4 and would like to have hands-on experience in India, my reasons for going with this program are as follows:
1. I want to see northern India and be in Hindi-speaking region.
2. The program was for the exact dates that I wanted and everything is set up for you. Since I don't have connections, this is a huge plus.
3. The Himalayan Health Exchange program was full when I applied (this program was recommended by one of the people who had done CFHI and responded to my email).

I don't like that you have to pay so much for it. But I honestly see that money as a donation to the clinics you see on your trip, which is a great thing. PM me if you want more specifics on what others thought of the program.

 

[premeder]

last year i was deciding between cfhi and unite for sight and am happy that i went with unite for sight. i did a lot of hands on work and felt like i made a really big difference. it's a really gratifying feeling. i'm doing another unite for sight program this summer. unite for sight doesn't have a program fee that you've got to pay like with cfhi. the website is www.uniteforsight.org

 

[daktari]

For overall questions, I was wondering whether people thought the program was worth the rather large fee. I've looked up the organization as it ranks very well among charities as far as its funds really going to the people who need it, so at least that makes me feel a little better about paying so much money. Still, it's not exactly like M1s like myself are exactly rolling in the dough...

Also, how open are the local coordinators to your interests? If you find one rotation especially interesting, can you ask to spend a little more time on it and maybe do a little less of something else? (I'd like to stay longer than 4 weeks, and I'd rather not just do the same thing twice)

Everyone seems to say that the organization is well run, which is reassuring, so has everyone felt safe while they were on the trip? Anyone run into any health or safety issues or know of others who have? If so, was it handled well?

Thanks everyone!

 

[quideam]

Robotsonic - Have you heard if the Himalayan Health Exchange program is better in terms of patient contact? I'm considering doing one of their rotations after third year, and from their website it seems like you really get a lot of hands-on experience.

 

[robotsonic]

Robotsonic - Have you heard if the Himalayan Health Exchange program is better in terms of patient contact? I'm considering doing one of their rotations after third year, and from their website it seems like you really get a lot of hands-on experience.

I heard about HHE through one of the guys who had done CFHI's Rural Him Rotation. He said that his sister did HHE and she got a ton of clinical experience, much more than he got with CFHI. He recommended HHE. I think I would have preferred it if the dates I needed had been available, but I think I will enjoy CFHI anyway, as you get to see different areas of northern India. I also just really love travelling, and wouldn't mind working as a janitor if I got to experience a new culture.

 

[ecuador2011]

I know this is an older post, but I hope people who are interested in traveling abroad or participating in international rotations will read this! I am a 4th year medical student who will soon be starting my residency in family practice. I traveled to Quito and Puyo Ecuador for one month in February through Child Family Health International (CFHI). I participated in the Amazon Community and Indigenous Health program. It was a great experience!

The part I liked most about this program was the variety. I worked in a private clinic in Quito, a missionary hospital in Shell, government run clinics in rural communities, participated in Dengue control and even visited a jungle community. Each experience was unique and left a lasting impression. All of the physicians and nurses were wonderful to work with. Everyone was interested in teaching about the Ecuadorian health system. They were also interested in learning about health care in the US. It was fun and interesting to explain how being a 4th year medical student works in the US and how this compares to medical education in Ecuador.

I not only learned a great deal about health care in Ecuador, but was also directly immersed in the culture. CFHI allows participants to live with host families. This is vital to any international experience. I was able to eat the local food, experience culture and tradition and practice my Spanish on a daily basis. Also, during my first week in Ecuador I attended daily Spanish classes. This was a great opportunity to practice and improve conversational skills as well as medical vocabulary. CFHI structures their programs in a way that allows for opportunities to learn and explore.

I would highly recommended this organization and program to anyone who is interested in learning about another culture as well as experiencing medical care in a different country. It really is an experience of a life time!

 

[mgriffin]

I participated in the CFHI Reproductive Health program in Quito, Ecuador for 4 weeks during the month of May 2011. This was a great way to spend the summer break between 1st and 2nd year of med school and I received class credit as well! I had the opportunity to take spanish lessons and rotate in three different hospitals/clinics where I shadowed physicians for a wide range of obstetrics and gynecology visits including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, vaginal and cesarian section births, and well baby exams. I was also able to rotate in a traditional medicine clinic for the indigenous population of Ecuador.

The clinical experience was fun but it was also an excellent way to learn spanish, specifically medical spanish. I lived with a host family and had ample opportunity to practice speaking on a daily basis.

In addition to clinical rotations and spanish lessons I had multiple opportunities to travel and see the local culture. My experiences on these trips range from zip-lining in the rain forest to attending a La Liga soccer match to snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. The CFHI local coordinator for my program was extremely helpful in arranging these trips.

This experience has reinforced my desire to travel and work in under-served communities in both the United States and internationally as a physician. CFHI was organized and well-run. My medical and local coordinators were there for all of my questions/concerns. Highly recommended if you're interested in global health!

 

[ObLaDi]

Thanks for all of the detailed information about your experience with CFHI! I really would like to get some international volunteering experience, and CFHI sounds like a great program.

 

[decemberwasthe]

I spent 4 weeks in the capital of Quito and the rural town of Chone for the Urban and Rural Comparative Health Program. it is a rewarding experience where you get the chance to learn from local doctors about everything from pediatrics and gynecology to surgery and emergency. the doctors were all very friendly and pleased to answer any questions that i asked. i participated in a child vaccination campaign, scrubbed in and assisted in surgeries, and even assisted in the cleaning and caring of a new born baby!
The greater your knowledge of medicine and the local language the more you can benefit from the program but even if you don't know a whole lot if you take the initiative you can have a great learning experience. I think this program was the chance of a lifetime and i really enjoyed it. i also got to take tourist trips with other students on the weekend. i would highly recommend this program.

 

[rrj1980]

I participated in the Urban Rural Health Comparative program in Quito and Chone, Ecuador. I had always wanted to study abroad and learn another language. This program was for 4 weeks and it allowed me to compare both rural and urban health care systems to the health care system of the U.S. I thoroughly had a great time! The Spanish classes and living with a host family really helped me become better at speaking and listening and understanding Spanish. I also learned medical Spanish which was very beneficial since very few of the doctors I shadowed knew English. I did rotations at community clinics in Quito and various hospital departments in the rural area of Chone. All of the doctors I was in contact with were nice and loved to teach. Between clinic shifts and Spanish classes there was plenty of time to explore parts of the country and there is a lot to see. I would love to go back! It is important to remember to have an open heart and an open mind.

 

[Dr Optimistic]

What's up with all the one-time posters recommending this program so positively? It seems a little contrived. I know nothing about this program and am not knocking it. It just seems a little odd that these messages all look the same and are from first time posters.

 

[officedepot]

What's up with all the one-time posters recommending this program so positively? It seems a little contrived. I know nothing about this program and am not knocking it. It just seems a little odd that these messages all look the same and are from first time posters.

yeah it's spam. This thread should be locked.

I will add traveling to countries to do "charity" work is just a way for doctors to make themselves feel good and for students to practice on people with less supervision, if possible. These charities are not changing anything.

 

[Miss Alyssa]

yeah it's spam. This thread should be locked.

I will add traveling to countries to do "charity" work is just a way for doctors to make themselves feel good and for students to practice on people with less supervision, if possible. These charities are not changing anything.

While that is true for some programs, that can't be said about all. I do think med students need to think carefully about why they want to go, and what the impact of the organization is (both positive and negative impacts). That being said, I don't know anything about CFHI...

 

[saggarwal]

Hi, My name is Sameer Aggarwal and I just recently returned from CFHI's Ophthalmology Rotation in New Delhi, India. During the experience, I saw the tremendous disparity many of the patients faced with regards to accessing health care. The hospital that I worked with certainly helped many of these patients receive the necessary services they needed at almost no cost to them. Through the program, I shadowed physicians screen and treat the many patients they saw both in the out-patient department and in surgery. Witnessing the tremendous difference that these physicians have had on patients, who without their help many would have to live with their treatable condition has been remarkably inspiring and reinforced my desire to continue participating in global health programs. So, if you are someone who wants to become a health care professional and would like to diversify your patient experience all while building upon your clinical skills, I would highly recommend CFHI for your global health education!

 

[saggarwal]

Hey guys I just wanted to clarify some concerns... CFHI encourages participants to share their opinion and thoughts regarding their program... these posts are not spam but rather are intended to give future participants a better idea of what the program is like and to answer any questions you guys may have... hope you find our posts helpful!

 

[Miss Alyssa]

Hey guys I just wanted to clarify some concerns... CFHI encourages participants to share their opinion and thoughts regarding their program... these posts are not spam but rather are intended to give future participants a better idea of what the program is like and to answer any questions you guys may have... hope you find our posts helpful!

Each poster comes in on a new account, posts 1 contrived response to an old thread giving a rave review to specific company, then they disappear never to be heard from again on SDN. You are the first one to post twice. Many of the questions raised in the original post have not been answered by these "past participants".

Like any other message board, members are more likely to believe/value posts from established members. I'm not saying you need to put 6 years of your life into this place to be taken seriously, but the pattern of these posts are suspect.

 

[BlahBlahMed Student]

I used this forum as a means of advice for this program and I would like to respond as to my experience in South America with CFHI last summer. If you choose to go in the summer there will be many undergraduates, mainly 20 y.o.- some with the yeah I can drink now attitude, in your program and few or no medical students. I am very unclear why it is posted on AMSA and other med student websites. This is a very different experience then studying and rotations with medical students (could be good or not so good depends on the people and the age difference).

I also would recommend you place a lot of thought into any homestay request paperwork (i.e. request a family/person with experience with students, close to the city, ask about pets and children, etc.). This will make for a more pleasant trip and you will learn more language if you are happy where you live. I found myself in an inhospitable homestay with a very difficult living situation; however, the many of other students had excellent hosts and many were close to the city (one student told me of a similar situation with a difficult homestay which ruined her experience one of her two months with CFHI). Living farther from the city makes things more difficult because to participate in activities with other students I had to take taxis everywhere which was an additional cost.

Also be aware that the language classes are taught as a group with all the participants in the program. Many of the students are very young and disruptive and the levels can be quite different. (All the language tests that you take prior are a little silly because I'm unclear why I took them). However, the language class instructor is good and the clinical experience can be good. The clinical experience mostly depends on what you are expecting. If you want to see things, you can watch almost anything. If you want to do patient care, you will be limited and it will take sometime until you will be allowed to do patient care and honestly I did more as an MS1 in my preceptor.

The last thing I will mention is the coordinators are good and very nice, but do not be surprised if you find yourself at the airport without transportation. It seems that the coordination is not great and most of us had to contact the coordinator for a ride despite confirming our travel multiple times via email. Make sure you have your coordinators' information (phone numbers) because the emergency number in SF is not always checked frequently at night or on the weekend and you may be alone in a foreign airport spending a lot of money on international calls.

I hope this is helpful. I completed four other intercambio programs when I was an undergrad so my homestay, language classes, and coordinator critique was based on those previous experiences I also have traveled on about a dozen other international trips alone and with friends. If you are an MS1 with an interest in this program feel free to post questions and I will try to reply. This is an old thread, but perhaps someone will peak at it.

Bottom line: seems like a good program for undergraduates. med students the price for me was steep and I wished I used the money to travel or to attend a different program that was less expensive. In the end I made the most of my experience at the hospital and tried to explore in my free time.

 

[Kahreek]

Hello people, i am a CHF participant from 2013, i went into Cambodia in the last summer to train trepanations as a fellow m2 student. Things could have not gone smoother. All my patients, mind you from very low underprivileged suburban areas of Cambodia, were all very nice. There were just so happy they had a doctor. There was this little girl with a tooth ache, i said hey little girl i am no dentist, but i can do a nice trepenation, Her parents refused, and i feel like every step is a learning moment in my formation as a whole physician, not only in the technical point of view but as a better person.
I highly recommend the program.

 

[urbanoptimist32]

I have to be honest, I had a 'less than stellar experience' with CFHI. I am only writing this review to help others like me who are diligently researching programs like this and who want to get a firsthand review from someone who recently attended.

1) The program houses you in an area of Cape Town - 20-30 minutes from city center - in a neighborhood called Athlone. Ask anyone in Cape Town and they will tell you that, even for Cape Town, this is not a safe neighborhood. Feel free to look up crime statistics maps and you will see for yourself. 2) The driver that picks you up and drops you off is this older man who is unprofessional and grumpy. He gripes at you if you are even a minute late. Trust me, ask anyone who went about this.
3) Your home stay is a toss up. Unfortunately for me, my home stay left me to fend for myself for breakfast and lunch, while my other colleagues had their breakfast and lunch prepared each day for them.
4) I asked to be placed in a particular area of interest: HIV. This was never addressed, nor was I ever placed in an HIV clinic. I was put in an internal medicine inpatient ward of a hospital with about 10-15 other students, so there was next-to-no one-on-one teaching. You mainly walk around and observe.
5) When I addressed my concerns with the program administration in both Cape Town and their office in San Francisco, I was made to feel that my concerns were not valid. I found the staff to be unprofessional, apathetic, and unhelpful. The two ladies representing the program in Cape Town are nice and friendly, but they did little to address my concerns and feedback.
6) If you do not heed my advice and end up going on this, then at least spend the $400-$600 USD on renting a car. There is NOTHING to do in Athlone. No coffee shops or wifi, and your home stays generally do not have wifi. Do yourself the favor of renting a car.

So, to say I had a bad experience, is only the half of it. When you spend close to $3,000 on a program like CFHI, you expect a little more out of the experience. I was severely let down by the experience and the program's response to my experience.

Choose another program. Or, if you have the contacts, set up your own international rotation.

 

[Camy99]

I wanted to write a post even though it's been years since someone has looked at this thread, because I have been an SDN member for years (in other words, you can trust I'm not spam!). I took time off between 2nd and 3rd year because I had to delay Step by a few months, so this trip felt like a good use of mytime because I am actually interested in international health (not just trying to improve my resume). The poster above me seems like they had a bad experience and maybe that is country specific because mine was the complete opposite.

I went to Oaxaca, Mexico with CFHI for a month. This was my first time practicing medicine abroad and I appreciate how careful they were about making sure that I only did what I was qualified to do unlike other programs which sometimes let premeds do things way above their level. They were always available which made me feel safe at any point I was in Mexico. My home stay, clinics and hospitals I visited, and Spanish school were all set up and ready to go upon my arrival. I rotated through peds, surgery, internal med, L&D, ED... My medical director was extremely receptive of what I wanted out of my experience.

I got way more out of this experience than I could have possibly imagined. I previously shied away from short missions trips because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fully immerse myself in the culture and really get something out of it while giving back. This trip with CFHI was perfect because my role often fell at the same level as it would be in the US which made it easier to feel immersed into the environment. The only down side is that it was quite expensive, but CFHI did help cover half my funds with a scholarship which was easy to apply for.

A month was also the perfect amount of time to get to know plenty of people, learn medical knowledge in Spanish, and get to know the area well enough that I would feel comfortable visiting another time (which I can't wait to do). I absolutely recommend it to any other med (or nursing) students! Feel free to send me a message if you want more info!

 

[findthepineapple]

I participated in the CFHI Reproductive Health program in Quito, Ecuador for 4 weeks during the month of May 2011. This was a great way to spend the summer break between 1st and 2nd year of med school and I received class credit as well! I had the opportunity to take spanish lessons and rotate in three different hospitals/clinics where I shadowed physicians for a wide range of obstetrics and gynecology visits including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, vaginal and cesarian section births, and well baby exams. I was also able to rotate in a traditional medicine clinic for the indigenous population of Ecuador.

The clinical experience was fun but it was also an excellent way to learn spanish, specifically medical spanish. I lived with a host family and had ample opportunity to practice speaking on a daily basis.

In addition to clinical rotations and spanish lessons I had multiple opportunities to travel and see the local culture. My experiences on these trips range from zip-lining in the rain forest to attending a La Liga soccer match to snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. The CFHI local coordinator for my program was extremely helpful in arranging these trips.

This experience has reinforced my desire to travel and work in under-served communities in both the United States and internationally as a physician. CFHI was organized and well-run. My medical and local coordinators were there for all of my questions/concerns. Highly recommended if you're interested in global health!

Hello! I am considering this summer program for July. I am wondering if you ever felt un-safe during your time in Quito? I seem to read a lot about the dangers of using public transportation (particularly buses, and taxis). Especially being a single female traveler, I am a bit worried about navigating to and from the home-stay, and doing any traveling outside the city. If you (or anyone!) could comment on your experience, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!