EA-3223 Global Health Student Elective

1.0        Purpose

To promote social and cultural understanding of global health care models and systems and specific needs and challenges of global communities through collaborative rotations of VTCSOM medical students to locations throughout the world.

All Global Health Student rotations will be undertaken in service to VTCSOM’s overall mission of educating and graduating Physician Thought Leaders who will have a broad, empathic, and culturally aware worldview of their role as a physician. This will include a significant understanding of healthcare practices in various systems that have differing clinical and financial needs. Students will be encouraged to work as part of interprofessional healthcare teams and to participate in global health electives that align with their career interests, research, and desire for community service.  

2.0        Policy

1. This policy is to be followed in conjunction with the Global Health Student Elective Procedure (SOP) document and the Medical Education Policy: Elective Policy and Procedure. 
2. This policy does not apply to students traveling internationally on vacation or on their own time but may be used as a guide. 
3. Students must be in good academic standing in order to be eligible to participate.
4. Global Health Rotations are restricted to the fourth year of medical school or may occur in year 3 with special permission. 
5. Students must have completed, or be on track to complete, their research project and approval must be granted by the Associate Dean for Research.
6. To ensure an appropriate learning environment and sound educational program, VTCSOM requires an agreement with the host site prior to departure.
7. Students must sign up for the elective through the lottery and then complete the application process as outlined in the Global Health Elective Standard Operating Procedure and Global Health Elective Check List for final approval. 
8. Applications to participate are due to the Office of the Associate Dean for Community Engagement no later than five (5) months prior to the expected departure date. Additional due dates for application materials may be found on the Global Health Elective Timeline. 

Financial Concerns

1. Funding for students and faculty to participate in global health rotations is the obligation of the participant(s). Additional VTCSOM funds, including federal financial aid, are not available to support student and faculty travel. Students may not borrow additional funds (loans) that would result in exceeding the established cost of attendance. 
2. Certain global health sites offer scholarship funding to defray some of the costs of travel.
3. Scholarships for global study are also available through Virginia Tech and can be found at VT Scholarship Central. 
4. Scholarships are awarded by application.
5. Students must report all scholarships to the VTCSOM Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid. 

Student Requirements

1. All students are required to follow U.S. State Department Guidelines for travel safety.  
2. Students must follow expectations as detailed in the Global Health Student Elective Procedure (SOP) document and Global Health Elective Checklist. 
3. Students must read and adhere to all post-exposure protocols.
4. Students must submit all application materials and required documents as outlined in the Global Health Elective Checklist as well as any materials required by the partner site. 
5. Proof of travel insurance is required as part of the application.
6. Students are required to create an account and register their rotation with the Virginia Tech Global Education Office.
7. All students are required to purchase CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) Insurance through Virginia Tech.
8. Students must remain in contact with the Office of Community Engagement and the VTCSOM faculty advisor during the elective. 
9. Students are required to follow the local health department and/or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for immunizations and health screenings prior to and upon return from travel. 
10. All travel must be completed two days prior to the start of the next rotation.
11. VTCSOM does not allow driving while on-site participating in an approved global health elective. VTCSOM also does not allow the use of motorcycle or moped taxis offered at many global health elective sites. Many of the specific sites have their own rules that must be followed, complementing our rules of not driving or riding on motorcycles. 

Academic Requirements

The goals and objectives of the global health elective must meet the minimum credit hour requirements (see the Credit Hour Policy in the Student Handbook). 

3.0        References

• Credit Hour Policy (EA-3101)
• Global Health Student Elective Procedure (SOP)
• Elective Policy and Procedure

4.0        Approval and Revisions

Approved by Community Engagement