Location:

Puyo, Ecuador

Program Type:

Intern Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Rolling Starts, Summer, Year Round

Work Types:

Medical, Nursing

Program Overview

Program Description:

In Puyo, students will witness the ways in which socioeconomic and cultural factors have shaped the healthcare system of the region. As in other developing South American countries, meager financial means, adherence to traditional medical practices, and lack of access to healthcare providers often hamper the rural population's ability to seek healthcare services. Students will observe and assist (to a limited degree) local medical practitioners in their efforts to address this need for healthcare services in rural regions.

CFHI offers health sciences students 4-12 week long clinical rotations focusing on the cultural context of medicine. CFHI participants gain increased cultural competency, professionalism, and a deeper perspective on global health. CFHI has 20+ sites throughout Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, and South Africa.

Clinical Rotations:
CFHI''s rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities

Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises

Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator

Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor

Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information

Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Setting Description:

During the first week of the program, students will be in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. It is a lively city of nearly 1 million inhabitants from all walks of life. For the remaining three weeks of the program, students will be based in Puyo located in Pastaza Province. Puyo is a small city with 28,000 inhabitants in the jungle about 6 hours by bus from Quito. Although it is a rural town, Puyo does offer modern conveniences such as internet, cell phone services, banks and many other touristic attractions. In Puyo there is a large indigenous population (Kichwas, Shuar, Achuar, Shiwiar, Huaoranni and Zapara).