A major challenge for 21^st century medicine will be to expand the benefits of medical knowledge to 85 percent of the world's population who live in parts of the world where access to the advances of modern medicine is limited. To respond to these global challenges, MetroHealth Medical Center and the Center for International Health at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) established a residency program integrating educational and clinical opportunities in International Health and Internal Medicine designed to meet the special needs of medical school graduates with a commitment to international health. This track meets the educational requirements of the American Board of Internal Medicine for board qualification.

The objectives of the International Health Program are:

1. To develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for the provision of health care both in the United States and among disadvantaged populations abroad.
   
2. To provide opportunities for residents to participate in clinical medicine or research in an international health setting.
   
3. To prepare and encourage individuals to pursue a career in international health.

The Curriculum Includes the Following Components:

The track in International Health consists of coursework in International Health as well as a three-month experience overseas. 

Coursework in International Health

Residents in the International Health Track (IHT) may attend a course in International Health for up to two months during their Internal Medicine Residency Training. The objective of the course is to provide the resident with a broad background in International Health as well as satisfy the course requirement for the resident to sit for the examination leading to the Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler's Health. The following outlines the requirements for application and participation in a course in International Health: 

1. Coursework in International Health may be taken at a diploma course in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler's Health certified by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (www.astmh.org/certification/index.cfm ). The resident must obtain approval by the Director of the IHT and the Chairman of the Department of Medicine to attend the course before applying.
   
2. Alternative sites for coursework in International Health are allowable and will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Final approval will be determined by the Director of the IHT as well as by the Chairman of the Department of Medicine.
   
3. The Department of Medicine will pay for the course as follows:
   

   • Course tuition for up to two months
   • Living allowance at a maximum of $500.00 per month or 50% of proposed living allowance
   • All other expenses - including travel, meals, etc. - must be paid by the resident 

Overseas Field Work

A three-month overseas rotation is an integral part of this program. The rotation can be arranged at a number of sites in Africa, Latin America, or Asia where faculty members of Case Western Reserve University have active involvement. Alternatively, the resident can select a site of their choosing for the rotation. The experience may encompass participating in primary medical care or conducting research in International Health.

                          Sites of Recent Travel

 

 International Health Projects:

Central America	Measles
Chile	Chaga's disease
Guatemala	Expedition for archeological study
Guinea	Research in Lassa fever
Honduras	Clinical
Kenya	CDC-sponsored Malaria study
Kenya	Clinical
Kenya	Schistosomiasis research
Peru	TB research
Switzerland	World Health Organization -  TB/HIV data analysis
Tanzania	Clinic
Uganda	TB research -  Case Western Reserve University
Vietnam	Clinical
Zambia	Malaria research

 

The following requirements for overseas field work applies:

1. The Director of the IHT must approve all proposed sites for the overseas rotation. The resident must provide a detailed proposal that includes field of study, contacts, living arrangements, etc. prior to final approval of the rotation.
   
2. The Department of Medicine will pay for airfare, vaccinations, and medications for overseas travel.  The resident is expected to pay all other expenses including food and lodging.
   
   

Other Opportunities

Residents may also attend a five-day course on the Management of Humanitarian Emergencies, offered at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University each year in June.  You may visit the web the Center for Global Health and Diseases web site at Case Western Reserve University for additional information: www.case.edu/orgs/cghd/Home.htm.

Applying to the International Health Track 

The following summarizes requirements for the application to the IHT at MetroHealth Medical Center as well as the process residents in the track must follow for coursework and overseas travel as part of the track:

1. All applicants must apply to the IHT through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) (http://www.aamc.org/students/eras) and participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
   
2. Applicants must indicate preference for IHT at time of application or prior to interview. Specification must be indicated before match preference is submitted by the Department of Medicine.
   
3. Candidates may rank IHT alone or in combination with the categorical program.
   
4. Final decision on match rank order is determined by the Department of Internal Medicine and Director of the IHT.