Preceptors: Veronica Ades, MD, Mary Ann Hopkins, MD, Aaron Hultgren, MD
Contact: Elizabeth Mendy, MA, MPH, Elizabeth.Mendy@NYULangone.org
Tel: 212-263-8577      

Prerequisites: None 

Description 

This elective experience offers an in-depth exploration of the surgical burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The course will focus on the resources and methods for performing surgeries, particularly in the fields of trauma and Ob/Gyn. It will cover a wide range of specialties, each with unique adaptations and experiences in LMICs.

Through an independent research project, students will have the opportunity to engage with surgical diseases and trauma in low-resource settings. They will refine a research question, conduct a comprehensive literature review, write an abstract, and present their process and final findings to their peers in the class.

Objectives of the Elective

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: 

• Identify and analyze current literature on key surgical and acute care topics in the developing world
• Describe the specific surgical and acute care conditions commonly seen in developing countries, and diagnostic capabilities typically available for these conditions
• Understand the management of common surgical and acute care conditions commonly seen in developing countries 

Goals of the Elective

• To introduce students to global health from a surgical perspective (including Emergency Medicine, Ob-Gyn, and Surgery)
• To show the different needs and concerns that affect these specialties compared to other more commonly studied areas of global medicine
• To delineate the systems issues (including access to, availability of and quality of) that influence surgical and acute care in low resource settings

Key Responsibilities of students while on Elective

Students are required to attend all lectures, journal clubs and simulation activities.  Each student will also make a presentation and write a one page abstract (including literature review and project description) by the end of the course.

Through presentations from NYU faculty practicing globally as well as external experts and practitioners in global health, students are immersed in the diversity of responses and approaches to surgery and acute care globally. The ethical questions and dilemmas of practicing global health, especially in the surgical fields, are integrated to all presentations.

Method of evaluation

Your evaluation in this course will be based on the following activities and assignments:

• Journal Club reflections 
• Literature Review Chart
• Written Abstract
• Final Oral Presentation

Scheduling information  

Duration: 4 Weeks  
Month Offered: October
Student point of contact before start of elective: Elizabeth Mendy, Elizabeth.Mendy@NYULangone.org
On day 1, students will meet for orientation and an introduction to Global Health lecture at 9am in MSB-Ground 70.
Students per elective block:  4-8