International Health Track
A four-year International Health Track is available for Baylor College of Medicine medical students interested in global health issues. Students who complete the track will receive a certificate at graduation.
Graduates of the track will also have an opportunity to acquire sufficient class hours, skills, and knowledge level to sit for the examination leading to the Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler's Health, sponsored by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the track, the student should be able to:
- Discuss international problems of health and illness, with focus on the developing world
- Describe existing health care organizations and systems that are involved in international health, including the scope of their services and their interactions
- Apply knowledge of epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment for common tropical and parasitic diseases and health problems of international travelers
- Understand in a practical way the challenges of providing healthcare services in international settings
- Utilize skills in cultural competency and understanding cross-cultural dynamics in caring for patients
- Evaluate the impact of global health factors (e.g., economical, epidemiological, and cultural) on the provision of health care in the United States
- Design and implement a research project in international health
- Identify and critically utilize pertinent literature on global health issues
Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler's Health
Baylor's International Health Track course of study has been approved by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) and meets the requirements for 300 hours of instruction to be eligible to sit for the examination leading to the Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler's Health. In addition to successful completion of an accredited diploma course* within five years prior to the exam application deadline and a passing exam score, two months of cumulative clinical experience abroad in a patient care setting in the tropics are required to receive the ASTMH certificate. One month of clinical experience abroad is part of the International Health Track. The additional month of clinical experience abroad may be completed during medical school, if time permits, or after graduation. It is possible to apply for the exam before two months overseas experience has been completed as long as the other criteria are met. Upon passing the examination, ASTMH headquarters will hold the applicant's Certificate of Knowledge until documentation** of two months cumulative overseas experience has been submitted.
*To apply for the exam, documentation of successful completion of an accredited diploma course is required.
**Documentation must include a description of the overseas experience including name of institution, location, dates, and nature of clinical work
International students who want to take an elective at Baylor College of Medicine should go to Visiting Medical Student Elective Program: http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/osa/visitingmed
For additional information about study abroad, Baylor students should contact:
Rosa Olvera
Academic Coordinator for International Affairs
Department of Family and Community Medicine.
713-798-3640
rolvera@bcm.edu
Joe Workman
Office of the Dean of Medical Education.
713-798-5285
jworkman@bcm.edu