Description

The Ecuadorian government is quietly making a bold attempt to provide universal healthcare to its culturally and geographically diverse population. Are they succeeding? You be the judge as you are given unprecedented access to key aspects of the healthcare system from the sprawling capital of Quito to the small towns and rural areas of costal Ecuador.

Learn first-hand how healthcare professionals in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the more rural Ecuadorian coast are working to provide universal access and quality healthcare services to the general population. The program gives participants a unique chance to take part in healthcare services and programs that are free-of-charge and witness how these services and programs try to improve patient access to care.

Upon completion of the program, participants will have a holistic understanding of the healthcare system in Ecuador and identify and appreciate the differences between the urban and rural government institutions, with a clear understanding of the institutional barriers to providing free care. Participants will also learn about the major public health issues facing two very different parts of Ecuador.

This program begins with 2 weeks in Quito, where participants will be given an orientation to Ecuadorian culture and program logistics in the capital city of Quito. In this program participants will also take 20 hours of Spanish language classes and participate in a variety of clinical rotations (See the "Clinical Sites" tab on the right hand side of the page for detailed information).

For the remaining two weeks of the 4-week program, students will be based in the town of Santa Elena, located in the Ecuadorian Pacific coast. Santa Elena is a small city with 30,000 inhabitants in the Ecuadorian coast, about 12 hours by bus from Quito (more info within the "Location" tab). While in Santa Elena, participants will rotate alongside local health professionals during clinical rotations at government-run primary healthcare clinics and hospitals. Participants will also be able to learn about prevention and treatment of tropical diseases in Ecuador and depending on local availability, participate in public health education outreach program on nutrition, tuberculosis-DOTS, HIV/STD's and vaccinations.

Highlights

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, 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

This program is open to those who possess:

* Minimal Spanish
* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish

This program is open to participants who are 20 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
* Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Pre-health students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students
* Other health science students

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

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Spanish

Languages

• Spanish

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Approx. 2,500 for 4 weeks, see website for details

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Health
• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Hospital
• Nursing

Age Range

20 or over

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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Scholarships are Available

as available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement

Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that conducts socially responsible global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI's 20+ programs in 5 countries connect students with local health professionals -transforming perspectives about self, global health and healing. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives. CFHI is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

Year Founded

1992