Description

The Introduction to Traditional Medicine program, organized by Child Family Health International (CFHI) gives students the opportunity to learn about the traditional and indigenous systems of medicine in India. Participants will study the philosophies behind Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and Reiki. In addition to learning about traditional medicine, students will observe how these practices may interact with Allopathic methods (aka Western medicine) and gain an understanding of the importance of cross-cultural competency in diagnosing patients who may be receiving a combination of modern and traditional treatments.

Students will travel through three locations during the duration of the program; two weeks will be spent in the capital city of Dehra Dun. Students will then spend one week in the hill town of Rishikesh. The last week will be spent in Patti, a rural village. Traveling through multiple towns means that students will be able to experience a variety of sites in their clinical rotations, from a primary care clinic in a rural village to the tertiary care hospital run by the state government. Students will gain first-hand experience in methods of diagnosis and treatment as they work with clinical practitioners who use Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy and Allopathy. Clinical immersion will be supplemented with daily yoga classes and lectures and workshops on traditional medicine.

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
* Scheduled 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

We recommend you study Hindi (and other local languages) if possible before you go. All of activities listed above will be conducted in English and all of our partners in this program speak English, yet patients you encounter may not.

Qualifications

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
* 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.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing

Languages

• English

Subject Areas

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pre-med
• Public Health

Cost in US$:

Approx. 2,500 for 4 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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

Age Range

20 and over

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Other

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