To some extent it will depend on what you are asking but hopefully, you will find many of the answers in this booklet. There are several possible avenues:
Other students. Grill a student who has recently come back from where you want to go. Make use of their experience and learn from their mistakes as you organise your trip. Your medical school should have a file of elective reports written by past students. If you can, make contact and talk to the student involved.
Plan to attend a CMF elective day - held each March in London and Leeds. You will find details on our overseas website or contact the CMF Office (laura.risdale@cmf.org.uk).
Some University CMF groups organise their own days (or evenings). Again, please contact us if you would like help to do this.
Your Medical School may well organise elective events and should have an archive of student elective reports to refer to.
Christian mission agencies (see appendix 2). There are over 20 Christian Mission Agencies based in the UK who have established medical work overseas and are willing to cater for student electives.
Individual hospitals (see appendix 3) A number of established hospitals in LDCs will take elective students. Make sure you reply promptly to their questions and supply ALL the relevant details/papers that they request. Visit our overseas website at: www.healthserve.org/pages/
Read a book on the subject. See appendix 1 for a list of informative books.
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
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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.
