International, Tropical and Cross-Cultural Medicine
This elective is intended for medical students with an interest in pursuing an international health career. The objectives are: (1) To learn the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of common tropical diseases and (2) To learn the social and political origins of refugee populations and how to practice culturally competent care and work effectively through interpreters. Areas of focus will include traveler's health, refugee and immigrant health, global epidemiology of disease, cultural competency, working with interpreters, and clinical care of tropical diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, malaria and other parasites. This 4-week course will involve didactic sessions with UVA faculty active in international health in Bangladesh, Brazil, Haiti, Uganda and Tanzania; small group problem- and case-based discussions; rotations in the UVA Traveler's and International Family Medicine Clinics; and self study using readings and electronic resources. All students will propose a research question, public health intervention plan, or description of a refugee population that will entail careful review of the literature and a presentation to the class at the end of the elective. Practical advice on international rotations and career routes will be discussed.