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Global Health Rotations and Exchanges

International rotations will include exchanges, up to two months, to various rotation sites including Yucatan, Mexico, Padova, Italy, and others.

Students engaged in an international clerkship are asked to complete an applied research project as part of the experience. The type and length of each research project is defined and approved by faculty in the Global Health Department. International Rotations:

Des Moines University Office of Global Health is developing different sites for international rotations. Elective international rotations will be considered by the Associate Dean for Global Health and students are encouraged to participate in these opportunities. A student may receive graduation credits for international rotations during their 3rd and 4th year. An international rotation can only be scheduled as an elective rotation and may be from 1 week up to 8 weeks in length. The maximum number of international rotation weeks eligible for graduation credit is 8 weeks. The supervising physician can be a member of COM faculty or a physician approved by the Associate Dean of Global Health.

International rotations are approved on an individual basis and approval hinges on education content, the current international situation, and the stability and safety of the host nation. No guarantee can be made regarding approval until the appropriate materials are provided. Malpractice coverage under the University extends only to claims brought in the United States.

Students should consider the potential dangers of any site outside the United States. Given the potential for physical danger, the college also requires that students complete the following checklist and submit verification of having done so to the Associate Dean:

Checklist for International Rotations and Travel

This checklist is provided as a portion of the preparations required for any international rotation. Note that a number of these actions and recommendations are not required by the college or by law but are listed as reminders.

  1. Contact Global Health Department about this rotation
  2. Demographics from the hospital, practice, or clinic that will serve as the supervising body
  3. Curriculum vitae of the supervising physician
  4. Letter of acceptance from the supervising physician
  5. Supervising physician agrees to complete a student evaluation using DMU forms
  6. Current immunizations for the region to be visited (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/study_abroad.htm)
  7. Student Health Services can provide the required travel vaccinations at no cost to those traveling on approved trips. Call Student Health at 271-7883 to make an appointment or for additional information on travel vaccinations. Generally, vaccinations should be obtained at least 3 weeks prior to travel, if not sooner
  8. Verification of medical insurance for the region or countries to be visited (If your medical insurance does not cover you while overseas, please check out this website: www.traveldocs.com/insurance.htm to purchase a policy that will cover you.
  9. Detailed travel schedule filled with the Office of Global Health
  10. Provision of family or next of kin with contact information for you while out of the country
  11. Complete Waiver of Liability forms
  12. Student agrees to complete a project/paper after the rotation is complete. Student understands that each day on their rotation, they will need to record procedures performed on a paper document and provide that information to the GH office when the rotation is complete
  13. Worldwide Assistance card and sticker are received from the Department of Global Health
  14. After Dr. Shah's approval - Clinical Coordinator is contacted and rotation is put on schedule

After Completion of Rotation:

  1. Reimbursements are complete
  2. Project / Paper is completed
  3. Daily Procedure documents are on file and sent to Dept. of Global Health

It is suggested that any student considering an international rotation, discuss their plan with the Associate Dean of Global Health about 6 months in advance of the planned rotation.


ROTATIONS:

International rotations will include exchanges, up to two months, to various rotation sites including Yucatan, Mexico, South Africa, Uganda, and others. Because the Global Health Dept. is still new and is working on creating permanent sites, students are encouraged to locate sites on their own through the internet, acquaintances, the past experience of other students, church groups, etc. For a list of helpful links, click on the "Global Health Links".

After a site has been located and a preceptor agrees to the rotation requirements, the next step is to contact Chris Catrenich, Administrative Assistant, Global Health Dept. by email at Chris.Catrenich@dmu.edu to complete the paperwork. Listed below are documents that will “walk you through this process”. The first document is an overview of the process. The second is a student checklist of the required paperwork. Also listed are two waiver of liability forms that will need to be filled out and signed as part of the required paperwork.

  1. Order of International Rotation Requests (pdf)
  2. Student Checklist for International Rotations (pdf)
  3. International Travel Waiver, Release & Indemnification agreement (pdf)
  4. Release form to participate in International Studies Program (pdf)

A concern for overseas travel is the required immunizations. Student Health Services will provide those immunizations, free of charge, if they are needed for the rotation.

Health Requirements: National & International Rotations and Travel