International Residency Experience
While some residency programs offer their residents an opportunity to serve in a specific clinic internationally, the combined Nationwide Children's Hospital and Ohio State University Med-Peds Residency Program offers the flexibility and support of faculty to allow the World to be our residents’ clinics. Below are just a few examples of residents who traveled to various countries abroad to practice medicine.
"Having the opportunity to do an international elective at the BDK Hospital in Rajasthan, India was a tremendous learning experience. We saw about a 150 children per day in the clinic, with a wide variety of illnesses. The more severe cases were admitted to the main hospital pediatric ward, adjacent to the clinic. This is the main pediatric ward at BDK Hospital. During busy times there can be up to two patients per bed in the main pediatric ward at BDK Hospital. Even with limited resources, patients receive very appropriate and adequate care. Working here, forced me to rely more on my basic history and physical exam skills. Seeing many children recover and go home was a great feeling." |
"I spent a month at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in rural Tanzania (Eastern Tanzania). It is a 50 year old facility, originally built by Norwegian Lutheran missionaries. I set up the rotation with the help of my sister, who was serving in the area through the Peace Corps. The hospital had a bed capacity of approximately 300, but the average daily census was closer to 400. (Children were doubled up in the same bed, and some adults were placed on the floor). The hospital is staffed full time by the medical director who is a Norwegian general surgeon, a Tanzanian physician who completed medical school last year, and rotating European doctors. At the time I arrived, there were only 4 physicians- for all 400 patients!
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As a 3rd year Med-Peds resident, and the only person with training specially in internal medicine and pediatrics, I was put to use as a consultant, seeing all new admissions and seeing complicated patients already admitted or in the clinics. I was involved with treating a wide spectrum of diseases- including malaria, TB, parasitic infections, AIDS, various malignancies, and much more. I was truly amazed by the pathology seen just by walking through the wards. I learned a great deal about 3rd world medicine, but more importantly got to experience life in Tanzania. The people there were so poor materialistically, but were on the whole more happy with life than we are. It was an experience I will never forget. I hope to return someday in the future." |
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"I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a month in Indonesia. I was able to use one of my electives to practice medicine in a country racked by poverty and natural disasters.During my time in Indonesia I was able to participate with local physicians in providing medical care. We targeted our treatment to cities that had been through the most recent earthquakes which had displaced thousands from their homes. I was able to help give treatment and care to nearly 700 patients. Some of the people never had the opportunity to see a physician or receive some basic medical advice due to the poverty which surrounds them. The lessons I learned during my time there will continue to shape me and the way I practice." |
