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Global Health Rotations

International rotations will include exchanges, up to two months, to various rotation sites including Mexico, South Africa, Uganda, India, Tanzania and others.

The type and length of each rotation is defined and approved by faculty in the Global Health Department at DMU. Students are required to perform a pre and post departure cultural competency survey and view CDC's safety podcasts. On their return, they complete a reflection in the form of heath and culture related questions. Oral presentations on and off campus are encouraged.

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. 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 DMU faculty or a healthcare provider approved by the Associate Dean of Global Health.

It's important to note the extent of student support by DMU for international travel. Students traveling overseas for trips approved through the Global Health deptartment can take advantage of free immunizations and medical advice through the Student Health Clinic on campus. Evacuation assistance provided by the school assures "around the clock protection" in case of emergencies or if a quick evacuation out of the country is required. Significant financial support provided by the university for student expenses incurred during approved international experiences is another way that DMU shows it's committment. With the administrative support of the Global Health dept., planning a trip abroad is a smooth process.

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:

Rotations

International rotations will include exchanges, up to two months, to various rotation sites including India, Tanzania, Mexico, South Africa, Uganda, and others.

Clinical Affairs requrires that the clinical request form must be submitted to them 45 days in advance to the start of the rotation. Cancelling an international rotation will not be allowed withnin 30 days of the start of the rotation.

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 Department 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. The next are waver 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 (non-sponsored) (PDF)
  4. Release for international studies program (PDF)
  5. Requirements for International Rotations (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 (PDF)

 

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. The Global Health department prefers that you contact them at least 6 months in advance of the beginning of the rotation. Keep in mind that an international rotation must be approved no later than 3 months before the start of the rotation.
  2. For DMU "non-sponsored" sites, the student must provide the following before a rotation request will be considered:
    1. Demographics from the hospital, practice, or clinic that will serve as the supervising body.
    2. Curriculum vitae of the supervising physician.
    3. Letter of acceptance from the supervising physician.
  3. Current immunizations for the region to be visited (www.cdc.gov/travel/study_abroad.htm)
  4. Student Health Services can provide the required travel vaccinations at no cost to those traveling on approved trips. Call the DMU family medicine clinic 515-271-1710 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
  5. 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). If you have medical insurance through Des Moines University with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, then you have coverage overseas.
  6. Detailed travel schedule filed with the Office of Global Health
  7. Provision of family or next of kin with contact information for you while out of the country
  8. Complete Waiver of Liability forms.
  9. Complete Requirements for International form.
  10. Student agrees to complete the pre and post departure course on Angel.
  11. 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.
  12. Register with the state department
  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. Angel course is complete.
  3. Daily Procedure documents recorded on student's PDA for Clinical Affairs.