Global health rotations give medical students practical, enriching experiences

Each spring, a handful of fourth-year students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine cap off their medical school experiences by participating in a global health rotation, spending a month serving and learning in an international setting as part of their clinical rotations.

The goal of the program is to promote student understanding of health care practices in various countries and to advance social and cultural understanding of international health care systems.

Currently, 11 hospitals and medical programs, which range from sites in Korea and Pakistan to Taiwan and Poland, offer practical and enriching experiences that students can take with them into their clinical practice.

“Each location is a unique opportunity,” said David Trinkle, associate dean for community engagement. “Students are exposed to differences in health care delivery, communication protocols, working as part of a health care team, and availability of resources.”

As part of a medical Spanish immersion elective in San Jose, Costa Rica, Lauren “LB” Canary, Class of 2024, was able to develop a visual aid to support Spanish-speaking patients during labor and delivery. “I was able to improve my medical Spanish skills and cultural understanding, which will help me care for Spanish-speaking patients when I start residency at Carilion Clinic,” she said.

A global rotation in Nepal, managed by Carilion Clinic, allows students to learn about altitude medicine as they trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. “I’m interested in rural wilderness medicine,” said Carney Flinn, Class of 2024. “This experience allowed me to learn basic mountain and wilderness first aid.”

“Seeing how the physicians there provide care in such an austere environment despite countless challenges showed just how meaningful and far-reaching the practice of medicine truly is.” Said Alex Miner, Class of 2024. “The innovation, determination, and passion involved in wilderness medicine was really inspiring.” 

Trinkle said global rotations broaden the students’ perspectives about health care, which will make them better clinicians going forward.

The program started in 2014 with four sites and has grown steadily. Originally, sites were selected that had a relationship with Roanoke’s Sister Cities organization. Eventually, other sites were added as individuals came forward with suggestions and connections. Today, even students can propose a country for consideration. All suggestions are vetted by the Virginia Tech Carlion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) for quality and safety.

“VTCSOM’s health system science and interprofessional practice domain challenges our students to take on health care policy change, advocate, and do things within the American health system to improve patient care,” Trinkle said. “When you add in a global experience, they can do that more effectively.”