Maximizing Human Impact in Medicine

Summary

Maximizing Human Impact in Medicine

International, or global health, is an area of public health that addresses the health of people living in low- and middle-income countries (sometimes known as developing countries).  The goal of this section is to paint a picture of what the “playing field” looks like now for physicians who are interested in international medicine.  We also want to address the most pressing issues in global health presently, including infectious and tropical diseases, chronic non-infectious diseases, age-related illness and conditions, and maternal and child health.  This section includes jobs and volunteer opportunities for those who want to pursue international medicine.

International Health (Powerpoint)

International Health: Myths and Reality

Many students become pre-meds with the idea of specializing in International Health. There is an image among undergraduate students of the international health specialist as a trailblazer travelling to remote underserved locales, having unique experiences, and curing the poorest of the poor. While lifestyles of that nature do exist, they are the exception, and they do not always include strict medical training. In reality International Health is an offshoot of a series of different medical and health specialties. It is more often the work of a sabbatical or interim period in a fulltime profession.

Therefore, if a student plans to enter International Health, he or she must evaluate whether the prerequisite specialties are satisfying because it is in these specialties that he or she will work primarily. The purpose of this section is to expose students to the multiple unique professions in international health and assist pre-medical students in developing a plan to make International Health work a facet of their lifestyle.

For more on the requirements and realities of an international health career visit: www.Globalhealtheducation.org

Below are three links profiling different types of International Health specialists:

1. Arlene Samen is an international health care worker that has developed the One Heart and PAVOT programs to reduce the incidence mother and child death in rural areas.

2. Nicholas Christakis is an epidemiologists and international health specialist who has used a knowledge of computer science and social networks to develop an advanced model of pandemic development that can be used to predict and stop worldwide pandemics.

3. Nathan Wolfe is an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist that has helped develop programs that can predict the emergence of new and virulent strains of infectious disease.

 

Additional Resources

The Skillset of an International Health Professional

The link between these and other international health professionals, is an expertise in program building, epidemiology, and immunology. That being said, if one is to specialize in international health, it is necessary to have a command of epidemiology and immunology. Pediatrics is also a viable profession because it requires a similar expertise in immunology. The following articles detail both the requirement, specifics and salary of each of these specialties.

Epidemiologist

College Requirements

Skill Sets and Considerations

Career Pathways

Specialized Careers

Immunologist

What is an Immunologist?

College Requirements and Career Pathways

Pediatrician

What is a Pediatrician?

Career Pathways and Outlook

Works Cited

Kickbusch I, Novotny T, Drager N, Silberschmidt G, Alcazar S. Global health diplomacy: training across disciplines. Bulletin of the World Health Organization [serial online]. December 2007;85(12):971-973. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 27, 2008.

Abstract: The article focuses on the relationship between global health and foreign policy. It provides several examples that illustrate the situation where foreign policy is being driven by health to protect national security. It highlights the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva (HEI), the programme which aims to unite diplomatic and health professionals in their interest in health as foreign policy. According to the authors, the issue concerning the linkage of health and foreign policy becomes a big concern for multinational organizations such as the World Health Organization (WTO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Baker T, Weisman C, Piwoz E. United States Health Professionals in International Health Work. American Journal of Public Health [serial online]. May 1984;74(5):438-441. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 27, 2008.

Abstract: This article reports results of a survey of 1,257 potential employers of US health professionals overseas, interviews with informants in international health, an analysis of career patterns of a small group of international health workers, and a review of numbers of health professionals trained in schools of public health for international health work. There are approximately 9,000 US health professionals in the international health field. Doctors (1,400), nurses (1,500) and administrators (900) are the largest groups. Church-related agencies (2,200 people), private voluntary agencies (1,700 people), and universities (1,000 people) are the largest employers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schatz J. Francis Omaswa: tackling the shortage of health workers. Lancet [serial online]. February 23, 2008;371(9613):643-643. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 27, 2008.

Abstract: The article profiles Ugandan surgeon Francis Omaswa who spent five years on an experimental project in the town of Ngora, Uganda which was developed to try and find the most cost effective ways to deliver quality health services in a rural African setting. A discussion of Omaswa's current role as executive director of the World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Alliance is presented. Omaswa's life, medical career and education, and the history of the Global Health Workforce Alliance, are discussed.

Koch-Weser D. International Health: Academic Specialty or Humanitarian Service?. American Journal of Public Health [serial online]. May 1984:430, 431. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 27, 2008.

Abstract: The article explores the role of U.S. health professionals and institutions in the improvement of international health. There is a great need for the U.S. to collaborate in improving health conditions in developing countries. U.S. health professionals and educators must collaborate to achieve improvements in public health services in the developing world. They must assist in training and retraining health care providers and teachers. Educational institutions in the country must integrate International Medicine into various programs to prepare future health professionals for work in other countries.