surgery and international health?

[asharma11]

hey folks:

are there any general surgery programs in the US that offer residents a structured experience (i.e., via electives or research, not just volunteering) of operating in the developing world?

thanks!
asharma11

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[Doc2008]

Excellent question! I too am interested in international health, specifically cardiovascular surgery in Africa. Let me know if you get any answers and I'll keep you posted if something comes my way!

 

[Bitsy3221]

Look at Brown and Indiana. Both have elective rotations for residents in Africa. (The hospital the Brown residents work at is run by a former graduate who is a cardiothoracic surgeon, so you might find that particularly relevant, Doc2008) One of the recent graduates at Vanderbilt also is currently working in Africa, but I don't know if the residents are able to work there.

 

[geekgirl]

i think when i interviewed at UCSF there was a healthy-sized group doing work abroad. i was impressed by the support and infra-structure for such things.
all that said, i have no real life experience in what they have to offer.

 

[Imnotyournurse]

You should check out Portland, OR. I know that they are very positive about these kinds of rotations and I think they are planning something more structured. They also offer a year long rural rotation.

 

[dynx]

i think when i interviewed at UCSF there was a healthy-sized group doing work abroad. i was impressed by the support and infra-structure for such things.
all that said, i have no real life experience in what they have to offer.

Ditto this. There is an organized rotation during the 2 years req. research that is well funded and managed. Several residents seemed VERY involved and talked a lot about it...if i had any desire to travel to the third world I would have been duly impressed.

 

[eastcoastyall]

I second Oregon. They have a rural surgery fellowship where they send you to the middle of nowhere. Its supposed to be awesome. My concern was where I would then get sushi, but I digress. If you're into true general surgery for the underserved, there seem none better.

Hopkins also has a thing where they send (?sent) residents to England. I am not sure whether they do that anymore.

Mount Sinai (NYC) has a rotation where you go to the DR and operate like a crazy man. The residents had nothing but great things to say about it.

Those are all that I can think of.