Preparing for your Medical Elective - in a resource poor country
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How can we help?
This booklet has been prepared by the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), in order to assist you in preparing for an overseas medical elective. CMF has some 1000 student members and has assisted many who have taken an elective placement in a resource poor country. This booklet is a summation of advice given and lessons learnt by those students who have reported back to us.
CMF can't organise your elective for you and is not a mission sending agency but we are part of a large network of individuals and agencies that can help you at almost every step of the way. Many of our graduate members are involved in mission situations overseas. In addition, we also have extensive links with overseas hospitals, UK-based mission agencies and other organisations.
CMF is also a member of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) which has member organisations in over 60 countries (see Appendices).
So if you have questions about the why, where, when and how you should go, or about the practicalities of travel, immunisations, visas and life in another culture - this booklet is a good place to start. It may not answer all your questions but we can probably put you in touch with someone who has those answers.
Planning an elective needs careful thought, prayer and thorough forward-planning
Count down to lift off
18 months before:
Decide where you want to go and make an approach to the relevant institution or organisation. Check visa requirements and that your passport is in date! Book a place on a CMF Electives Day.
9-12 months:
Keep your hosts and the institution/organisation updated. Once you have an acceptance letter, seek financial help.
4-6 months:
Book air tickets and organize travel insurance.
Obtain necessary visas.
3 months before:
Organise relevant immunisations
Buy things you will need and any items your hosts have requested
1 month before:
Obtain malarial prophylaxis and buy Travellers Cheques, if necessary
Contents
Next Article (Why start planning so early?)
Fifth edition with appendices – January 2007
© 2007 Christian Medical Fellowship, London.
First Edition 1997 – Amended April 1999 & November 2000
Second Edition September 2002
Third Edition November 2003
Fourth Edition August 2004
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Christian Medical Fellowship.
Christian Medical Fellowship
6 Marshalsea Road
London
SE1 1HL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7234 9660
Fax: +44 (0)20 7234 9661
Email: peter.armon@cmf.org.uk
Websites: www.cmf.org.uk, www.healthserve.org
Christian Medical Fellowship is a registered charity No. 1039823
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My thanks are due to Mark Pickering (CMF Student Secretary), Avril Stirzaker (Chairperson, CMF National Students Committee) and Laura Risdale (PA, Overseas Department) for their comments and suggestions during the preparation of this fifth edition.
DISCLAIMER
Christian Medical Fellowship cannot be held responsible for the information contained in this booklet. Students should confirm the information with individual institutions and missions agencies, including the conditions for undertaking electives and the precautions advised to reduce health and transport risks.
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