Insight

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre

Committee — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:49:49 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Georgina Harvey

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Tanzania	City	Moshi
Setting	Semi-urban – hospital is in the countryside but is only 20-30mins away from a medium sized town
Local languages spoken	English, Swahili
Dates of elective	December 2009
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	4-6^th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre	Population served	Large catchment area – 11 million people
Size	450 beds
Departments/specialties available	We spent our placement in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, but there are a wide variety of placements available. Paediatrics is particularly popular with elective students and requires earlier application.
Further description	The hospital is large, and has its own medical school attached – this is great for teaching opportunities, but means that you are one of a large crowd on ward rounds and share practical opportunities (such as scrubbing in to theatre) with the local students.
Student responsibilities	Similar duties to students in Australia on the wards, however more responsibilities are given to students (and junior doctors) in theatre and in the resuscitation room.
Teaching availability	Fantastic! The daily ward rounds were filled with constant teaching (all in English), there are lectures given to the local students each afternoon that international elective students are welcome to attend and there are also additional tutes given on a weekly basis that are department specific.
Elective contact	Director of Hospital Services at international@kcmc.ac.tz
Application process	Through the above contact – this was a long and drawn out process due to delay in receiving reply emails – don’t be shy in calling the hospital.
Donations brought/grants	Disposable gloves, needles, syringes. We also donated our Insight Development Fund Grant to the scholarship program for the attached medical school.

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	International elective students stay in the hospital grounds in allocated houses.	$150 US per month
Accommodation details	The houses were nice, and had bedrooms for up to 5-6 students (mainly 2 people sharing each bedroom). There is a communal kitchen and living area. Warm running water and (unreliable) electricity.
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport Transfer from airport to hospital	$3000 AUS $50 US
Transport within location	Local buses	<$1 ride
Food allowances	Food can be bought in Moshi from a small supermarket, and there are also street vendors selling fruit and veg on the road at the back of the hospital. There is a delightful hospital café on the grounds, that sells breakfast/lunch/dinner for about $1 US/plate	$5-10 day
Social activities	As there are quite a few international students on placement at KCMC at any one time, there is always someone to hang out with (think board games, cards…). There are also some restaurants and bars within walking distance (in daylight – short taxi ride at night) of the hospital. On the weekends or after your elective there are amazing trips to be done: safari at the Ngorogoro crater and Serengeti, visit the beaches of Zanzibar, climb Mt Kilimanjaro…
Recommended vaccinations	Take the advice of your travel doctor. Malaria prophylaxis required, and you should also take HIV PEP with you.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Amazing exposure to health conditions in tropical Africa, well-supported environment and excellent teaching.
The bad	Given the large number of local students, there wasn’t as much opportunity for hands-on experience as I had hoped for. However, we were still able to scrub into theatre occasionally and could certainly watch all procedures.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	For a first exposure to medicine in the developing world, our placement at KCMC was perfect; we were adequately supervised, well supported and received brilliant teaching on all the many medical conditions that were unfamiliar to us. The international student environment also allowed for many fun social opportunities – given the number of overseas elective students, this is a placement that could easily be done on your own, as you will make friends there.
For more information

Colombo South Teaching Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:35:31 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Sri Lanka	City	Colombo South
Setting	Urban, developing
Local languages spoken	Sinhalese, English, Tamil
Dates of elective	December 2007 – January 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	Basic clinical knowledge

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Colombo South Teaching Hospital	Population served
Size
Departments/specialties available	Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, O & G, A & E, Trauma, Rheumatology, Psychiatry
Further description	Can go to local students’ tutorials. All teaching is in English.
Student responsibilities	Clinical clerking of patients, procedures. Anything you wish to gain experience in.
Teaching availability	Maximal teaching opportunities. Let staff know what you want and they do everything they can to ensure your needs are met.
Elective contact
Application process	E-mail the clinical school (University of Sri Jayawardanapura)
Donations brought/grants

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Colombo hotels
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Bus or taxi. Always carry passport and letter from hospital with you.
Transport within location	Walking
Food allowances
Social activities	Sri Lankan culture, sightseeing, medical society events, clubs etc.
Recommended vaccinations	N/A. Malaria prevention if planning to travel north of Colombo.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Excellent clinical experience with tons of teaching staff. Students are extremely friendly and helpful.
The bad	The weather – hot all year round, no air conditioning in hospital.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	The support received from patients, staff and students.
For more information

Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:30:34 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Sze Yeap

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Singapore	City	Singapore
Setting	Urban
Local languages spoken	English, Mandarin
Dates of elective	January – February 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	4th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)	Population served
Size
Departments/specialties available	Gastroenterology, emergency, neurology
Further description
Student responsibilities
Teaching availability
Elective contact	Dr Charles Vu – supervisor
Application process	Tan Tock Seng Hospital website
Donations brought/grants

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Flight
Transport within location	MRT
Food allowances
Social activities
Recommended vaccinations

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Opportunity to use virtual colonoscopy. No cost for elective. Good place for good food and shopping.
The bad	No structured teaching; need to be proactive.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Emergency or Neurology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital is good!
For more information

Singapore General Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:26:23 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Adrian Cakra

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Singapore	City	Singapore
Setting	Urban
Local languages spoken	English, Mandarin, Hokkien
Dates of elective	January – February 2009
Year level during elective	6	Expected level of knowledge	5th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Singapore General Hospital	Population served
Size	National Tertiary Centre
Departments/specialties available	Plenty!
Further description
Student responsibilities	Attend morning daily ward rounds and clinics
Teaching availability	There is at least 1 tutorial a day, contents are at a level for junior staff.
Elective contact	Qiuhui (adminado@sgh.com.sg) Associate Dean Office
Application process	Very easy and straightforward
Donations brought/grants	N/A

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Rental room	AUD$ 500
Accommodation details	Trellis Towers #04-06 (700 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, Singapore 319773)
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Underground train Bus	AUD$ 1.50 one way
Transport within location
Food allowances		AUD$ 200
Social activities		AUD$ 200
Recommended vaccinations	Hep B

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Cheap, English speaking country, good public transportation
The bad	Most patients speak Chinese dialects, hence limited patient interaction
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Big tertiary hospital, lots of interesting cases.
For more information	www.sgh.com.sg

Changi General Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:13:15 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Singapore	City	Singapore
Setting	Urban
Local languages spoken
Dates of elective	December 2008 – January 2009
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	Medicine

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Changi General Hospital	Population served	About 100,000
Size
Departments/specialties available	Gastroenterology, respiratory
Further description
Student responsibilities	Ward rounds, procedures, e.g. pleural biopsy, chest drain, cannula.
Teaching availability	Teaching sessions twice per week.
Elective contact
Application process	Via the National University of Singapore.
Donations brought/grants

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Stayed with friend.
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)		AUD$1500
Transport within location		About AUD$15/week Up to AUD$80/month
Food allowances		AUD$300
Social activities
Recommended vaccinations

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Student friendly, good teaching; lots of shopping and other activities.
The bad	Spent a lot of time travelling.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Bring your anti-diarrhoeals.
For more information	Google “National University of Singapore”.

Kanti Children’s Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:08:23 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Ayesha Richardson

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Nepal	City	Kathmandu
Setting
Local languages spoken	Nepali
Dates of elective	December 2009
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	Same as Australia

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Kanti Children’s Hospital	Population served	All Nepal (?17mil)
Size	Approx 300 beds
Departments/specialties available	Gen med, oncology, surgery, emerg etc… We spent a week in gen med & a week in oncology, which were both fantastic.
Further description	Kanti is the only children’s hospital in the country. People walk for days to seek medical attention & they generally leave things for AGES before seeking help.
Student responsibilities	Not many! Ward rounds & OPD. Doctors usually work in private clinics in the afternoons, so expect lots of free time to explore!
Teaching availability	Ward rounds – the doctors are very keen to teach students (in English) at the bedside & are particularly interested in what the Western students had to say
Elective contact	Bishop Joshi
Application process	Email
Donations brought/grants	Medical supplies from Insight + donation (as part of application fee)

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Homestay – a real highlight! They organise this for you through The Chahari Group. Hotel/ Hostel – you could organise this yourself & it would probably be a lot cheaper, but not nearly as fun!	Approx $170/ week – this includes the homestay, hospital administration & a small donation to the oncology fund.
Accommodation details	We stayed with a LOVELY family about 40mins walk from the hospital. The 2 of us shared a very basic but clean room with mattresses on the floor. There was a small bathroom with a hose-shower & western toilet. We ate meals (dahl baht for brekkie & dinner) with our family every day.
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Plane
Transport within location	Walking/ buses/ tuk-tuks
Food allowances	All included
Social activities	We met some lovely students at the hospital & spent our afternoons exploring Kathmandu & surrounding cities.
Recommended vaccinations	See your travel doctor – occasional outbreaks of Meningitis etc. All the usuals.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Everything! Homestays, the hospital, learning about 3^rd world health systems, barriers to delivery of health care, how to get around them 1^st hand & seeing crazy & interesting textbook- medical signs.
The bad	Not much really… be prepared to have gross hair & long leg hairs unless you can stand in cold water for long periods of time.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Make sure you tag on a trek to the start or end of your placement! AMAZING!!! And a totally different view of Nepal.
For more information

Siddhi Memorial Hospital

Committee — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:01:50 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Kristina Martinson

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Nepal	City	Bhaktapur
Setting	Developing
Local languages spoken	Various Nepalese dialects
Dates of elective	January 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	Basic paediatrics, 5th year level is fine

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Siddhi Memorial Hospital	Population served	Women and children of the town and surrounding rural areas. Often a poor population as the hospital is charitable.
Size	7 doctors (2 senior, 5 RMOs, previously one paediatrician too), 14 paediatric in-patient beds
Departments/specialties available	Paediatrics (in-patient and out-patient) Gynaecology (out-patient) Immunisation Family Planning Paediatric A & E Community outreach programs in HIV/AIDS
Further description	Siddhi Memorial Hospital provides a paediatric out-patient clinic for members of the community. It runs 6 days a week and sees many common paediatric conditions. There is a 24 hour A & E service and a 14 bed paediatric ward. The site also offers gynaecological outpatient care, immunisation and family planning. Attached is the Senior Citizens’ facility which provides residential care to older members of the community as well as day-care services. The hospital also runs out-reach programs in HIV and AIDS to the surrounding community.
Student responsibilities	Attendance at ward rounds and paediatric out-patient department. Everyone is very laid back and you make what you want of the placement.
Teaching availability	Doctors are Nepalese but are all overseas trained. They all speak English well. The 2 senior doctors are very willing to teach especially.
Elective contact	Shyam Dhaubhaudel (Hospital Director) email: smh@healthnet.org.np or see their website http://www.smf.org.np
Application process	Email Shyam with your details
Donations brought/grants	We were asked to pay $17 AUD per day each which was a donation to their hospital fund. It covered full accommodation and meals during our stay.

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Accommodation and meals in their senior citizens complex.	AUD$17perday
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Thai Air via Bangkok to Kathmandu Visas for Nepal	AUD$2100 USD$30
Transport within location	The hospital staff can transport to and from airport
Food allowances	Included in board, but meals at the town are cheap	Less than AUD$5/meal
Social activities	Walks around the town, can do weekend trips to various areas. Internet cafes available in Bhaktapur (approx 40c an hour), Museums, Shops, Temples. Close to Kathmandu (15km) also easy to organise trekking, Chitwan. National Park etc.
Recommended vaccinations	Typhoid/Hepatitis A, Meningococcal, Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Tetanus	AUD$200

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Lots of opportunities to practice physical examinations. Many patients are neonates so can do neonatal checks etc. if you want to as this does not happen formally at birth. Doctors are very laid back and willing to teach. Kids present at later stage of illness and often of greater severity so you see clinical signs that you may not always see in Adelaide. Only expected to be at the hospital 5 days a week 9.30 til 2.30pm!
The bad	Due to the language barrier, usually have to sit in with doctors in the outpatient department rather than see your own patients, which means it is not particularly hands-on. Bhaktapur is a small town, not much to do there after 5pm when all the tourists leave, no real night life.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Seeing how a country’s infrastructure impacts medicine. Developing world medicine with an emphasis on clinical diagnosis rather than investigations. The hospital recently received funding to build a paediatric theatre, so surgical patients may increase in the future. Siddhi Memorial relies solely on donations so they are very happy to have elective students.
For more information	www.smf.org.np
Recommended rating (out of 5)	4

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Shannon Harris

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Nepal	City	Bhaktapur
Setting	Rural, developing
Local languages spoken	Newari/Nepali
Dates of elective	January 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	Paediatrics knowledge is helpful.

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Siddhi Memorial Hospital (charity hospital)	Population served	? the town of Bhaktapur and surrounding areas!
Size	16 beds, 7 doctors, 10 nurses
Departments/specialties available	In-patient beds (16) and outpatient clinic every day (Sunday-Friday) Mainly paediatric services, some gynaecology.
Further description
Student responsibilities	Mainly observation, participation in ward rounds and outpatient department.
Teaching availability	Great doctors, well qualified, all with very good English.
Elective contact	Shyam Dhaubhaudel (Hospital Director) email: smh@healthnet.org.np or see their website http://www.smf.org.np
Application process
Donations brought/grants	About AUD$17/day – includes accommodation and food. Donations of gloves or medical equipment would be appreciated.

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	At the hospital, in the nursing home.	AUD$17/day
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Flight to Kathmandu, hospital van will bring you to Bhaktapur. Buy Nepal visa at airport.	AUD$2500 About AUD$30
Transport within location	Walking, bus, taxi	AUD$2
Food allowances	Included with accommodation, eating in the town is cheap.	AUD$2-5
Social activities	Visit town of Bhaktapur, many nearby temples, visit Nagarkot for sunrise.
Recommended vaccinations	ADT, hepatitis A, meningococcal, malaria prophylaxis not usually needed at high altitudes.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Great cultural experience, great teaching, good accommodation and fed well. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, learnt a lot about a different health system/health issues.
The bad	Not very hands-on, cold showers!
Further descriptions, comments or advice	A charity hospital providing a quality low-cost service to many poor people. Medically very interesting with many fascinating third world diseases.
For more information	www.smf.org.np

Sarawak General Hospital

Committee — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:59:51 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Zen Yap and Pamela Lim

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Malaysia (Borneo)	City	1. Kuching 2. Sibu 3. Kapit
Setting	Urban (1), rural (2), remote (3); tropical (1, 2, 3); developing
Local languages spoken	Malay, Chinese, Iban, other local dialects.
Dates of elective	January – February 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	4th or 5th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Sarawak General Hospital	Population served	All of Sarawak (about 1 million)
Size	700 beds
Departments/specialties available	Everything, including paediatrics and O & G. Chance for longhouse visit and health checks (Sibu, Kapit).
Further description	Elective was sponsored by “Kenyalang Medical Foundation”.
Student responsibilities	Wear a white coat! And a tie if a guy!
Teaching availability	Variable depeding on department – a huge amount of neurosurgery/neurology. Lots of hands-on experience in Kapit.
Elective contact
Application process	Via Kenyalang Medical Foundation.
Donations brought/grants	Beds, medication, hand hygiene (alcohol gels)

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Included with elective sponsorship.	AUD$10-20pp/night
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia	AUD$2000
Transport within location	Walking, taxi, public buses (can be Boat, air (intercity) and bus.	AUD$50/month
Food allowances		AUD$5-10/day
Social activities	Eating, caving, shopping, trekking, museums.	AUD$200 (caving, shopping…)
Recommended vaccinations	Japanese encephalitis. Malaria prophylaxis if going rural/remote/trekking.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Travel and tourist activities. Food.
The bad	Occasional monsoon weather. Malaria region.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	The friendliness and warmth of the staff! Longhouse visit. Advice: mosquito repellent! Camera!
For more information	Lonely Planet Borneo

Tung Shin Hospital

Committee — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:53:02 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Hooi Wen Hong

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Malaysia	City	Kuala Lumpur
Setting	Urban, developing
Local languages spoken	Bahasa Malaysia, Cantonese, English
Dates of elective	January 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	5th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Tung Shin Hospital	Population served
Size
Departments/specialties available	Medicine, Surgery, Radiology, Oncology, O & G.
Further description	Semi-government/semi-private.
Student responsibilities	Chaperoned, hands-on experience.
Teaching availability	Tonnes.
Elective contact
Application process	Apply directly to director of Tung Shin Hospital.
Donations brought/grants	None

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Stayed at home/friend’s place.
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)	Letter from University stating the elective placement, passport photo, clinical white coat.
Transport within location	Train, bus, car.	AUD$5
Food allowances		AUD$300
Social activities	Shopping, sightseeing.
Recommended vaccinations	Hepatitis A and B.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Friendly and enthusiastic consultants.
The bad	Language – communication barrier.
Further descriptions, comments or advice	Exposure to the different practices of medicine in the developing world.
For more information	Websites

Chihaya Hospital

Committee — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:46:54 +0000

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name

Minako Murase

ELECTIVE DETAILS

Country	Japan	City	Fukuoka
Setting	Urban
Local languages spoken	Japanese
Dates of elective	January – February 2008
Year level during elective	5	Expected level of knowledge	5th year

DETAILS OF INSTITUTION

Name	Chihaya Hospital	Population served	500,000
Size	200 beds
Departments/specialties available	General medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics
Further description
Student responsibilities	Observer
Teaching availability	As requested
Elective contact	minakofukuoka@yahoo.co.jp (myself)
Application process	Contact personally
Donations brought/grants	None

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, LEISURE AND EXPECTED COSTS

Accommodation options	Needs to be arranged personally	AUD$1000
Accommodation details
Travel to location (including necessary documentation)
Transport within location		AUD$3 one way AUD$120 over 4 weeks
Food allowances
Social activities
Recommended vaccinations	Japanese encephalitis

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The good	Small hospital environment – get to know most of the staff in the hospital.
The bad	No structured teaching. You need to request what you would like to do. Hard if not able to speak Japanese.
Further descriptions, comments or advice
For more information	Only home page in Japanese. So if keen, contact me.