Department of Pediatrics

Clinical Training Internationally

Master
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The Global Child Health Residency curriculum includes a one year of clinical service at one of the Texas Children’s Global Health Network sites in addition to their three years of training in Houston.

Texas Children’s Global Health Network has unparalleled experience in training health professionals in global pediatric care and research. It is the single largest sponsor of international training experiences for U.S. medical students and residents, hosting more than 100 such learners in the current academic year alone. Structured and supervised training environments for pediatric care and treatment and clinical research exists in each of Network’s clinical Centers of Excellence. Currently we sent residents to our Clinical Centers of Excellence in Lesotho, Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Our goal is to prepare our trainees for leadership in global pediatric health care, education, training, and advocacy and involvement in groundbreaking research aimed to alleviate some of the world's deadliest diseases.

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Medical Knowledge

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Patient care internationally involves the resident to understand the scope of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social behavioral knowledge needed by a pediatrician. Residents will demonstrate the ability to acquire, critically interpret, and apply this knowledge in patient care and community health in resource limited settings. Residents will be able to:

  • Identify and describe epidemiological trends and major causes of emerging infectious diseases and causes of infant and child mortality and morbidity.
  • Recognize the major underlining socioeconomic and political determinants of infant/child health, and its significance in child survival and health care.
  • Understand the impact of environmental factors, including safe water supply, sanitation, indoor air quality, vector control, industrial pollution, climate change, and natural disaster on child health
  • List the vaccine preventable diseases and the immunizations available in resource limited settings, and know the current vaccine policies and recommendations from the World Health Organization
  • Identify and describe other physical, psychological, and social detriments to child health in resource limited areas.
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Common Diseases and Medical Problems Residents Will Treat

Bacterial Meningitis

Central Nervous System Disorders

Diarrhea

Developmental Delay

HIV/AIDS and related infections and complications

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Measles

Parasitic Infections

Malaria

Protein Energy Malnutrition

Neonatal (neonatal sepsis, tetanus, syphilis)

Respiratory Disease

Pneumonia

Tuberculosis

Typhoid Fever

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

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Patient Care

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Residents will be able to exercise appropriate clinical approach to pediatric patients living in resource limited areas, utilize locally available resources, and apply principles of evidence based decision making and problem solving. Every COE provides the resident opportunities to provide culturally sensitive care and support to their patients and families, as well as participate in health promotion and advocacy projects utilizing local resources, guidelines, and practices. Residents will be able to:

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  • Use a logical and appropriate clinical approach to the care of patients living in resource limited areas utilizing locally available resources and applying principles of evidence-based decision-making and problem-solving.
  • Understand the approach to pediatric patients living in resource limited areas with the following medical problems and be able to initiate the diagnostic evaluation and appropriate medical management.
  • Provide culturally sensitive care and support to patients and families.
  • Participate in health promotion and injury/disease prevention activities utilizing local guidelines and practices.
  • Advocate for quality health care for all children.
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BIPAI Annual Network Meeting

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Residents who are abroad will have the opportunity to attend the annual Texas Children’s Global Health Network Meeting outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.