Designing Overseas Medical Service Learning Trips

Date: Friday, 27 September 2024 | Time: 2.45pm - 4.15pm | Venue: Academia, L1-S3

Track Type: Main Conference Workshop

Speakers: Asst Prof Courtney Davis, Dr Gayathri Devi D/O Nadarajan, Clin A/Prof Joanne Quah, Dr Wong Wei Teen, Dr Cristelle Chow, Dr Ignasius Aditya Jappar, Dr Rachel Lim

Embark on an experiential journey with us as we collectively explore the impact and learning experience of overseas medical service trips. At this workshop, we aim to build a cohesive, sustainable teaching model representative of both global and local perspectives in preparation for international medical service. We invite healthcare educators from a variety of disciplines and interests to collaborate in analyzing challenging case scenarios from real-world narratives, and develop equitable solutions to address profound ethical responsibilities that these trips require. How do we educate and equip our health workforce to appropriately address these questions? How do we underscore the importance of risk analysis and community diagnosis in a participatory approach to international health service programmes?

This workshop sits at the intersection of global health education, ethical responsibility, and sustainable development of community health programmes to bring about equitable health outcomes in underserved areas. Whether you're a seasoned field practitioner or a healthcare professional interested in shaping the next generation of global health advocates, this workshop offers a platform for shared learning, collaboration, and thoughtful reflection on the transformative impact of international medical service education.

Learning Outcome(s):

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Construct planning guidelines for short-term overseas medical trips that prioritise benefiting local communities and optimises experiential learning.
  
• Describe the role of pre-trip education in preparing learners for the ethical, clinical, and logistical challenges they may confront.
  
• Describe the ethical considerations of short-term overseas medical trips including sustainability and longer-term impact.
  
• Discuss the global health implications of short-term overseas medical trips on local and regional health systems and environments.
  
• Describe how to contextualize the overseas learning experience to Singapore to improve learners' understanding of population health and social determinants of health in the local context.

Target Audience:

Healthcare professionals from any discipline who have participated or are interested in participating in future overseas medical service trips, as well as those who have or intend to lead and supervise such trips. Learners from any discipline who are interested in participating in future overseas medical service trips or who have participated in the past.

While experience on service trips may be helpful, it is not required for participation in this workshop.

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