Course Title
Medical Spanish Abroad |
Course Number
INTL-1042 |
Duration/Weeks
4 |
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of year 1
Additional Requirements:
International electives require both (1) course director approval on C-Form, AND (2) institution-level approval. Travel to areas in which a US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Travel Warning is in effect will not be allowed. |
Responsible Faculty Director:
Matthew Dacso, MD, MSc
Other Faculty:
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Available Dates
• 4-week block: 4/25/2022 - 5/20/2022
• 4-week block: 5/23/2022 - 6/17/2022
• 8-week block: 4/25/2022 - 6/17/2022
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Application Submission Deadline
2/21/2022 |
Maximum Enrollment
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| Where and to whom the application should be submitted |
| Students should contact Dr. Brad Brock at ba2brock@utmb.edu as soon as possible.
There is a competitive application and interview process. |
| Goals & Objectives |
| To introduce students to the practice of culturally competent medicine and provide them an opportunity to develop oral proficiency in medical Spanish, including how to take a medical history and communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients, to understand the health beliefs and practices of the Hispanic population, and to expand upon skills learned in POM. Prepare (guided by an assigned mentor) a scholarly abstract and present a poster or oral presentation at the annual UTMB Global Health Education Symposium. |
| Description of course
activities |
| Students will enroll in an approved Medical Spanish immersion program in a Spanish speaking country Current approved program is Adventure Education Center in Costa Rica. They will receive a minimum of 4 hours daily of Spanish language instruction (with a maximum of 4 students per instructor), with a focus on medical vocabulary, history taking and patient education. They will perform history and physical exams on Spanish speaking patients in a clinic and/or hospital setting, under appropriate physician supervision. They will also live with a local family to enhance the language immersion experience, and participate in other cultural activities. Note: Fees per program vary but generally range between $1500 and $2000. Students provide their own airfare to the program site.
Participation in preparatory activities including online modules on global health topics, project preparation and implementation, and meetings with mentors. 3. Engagement in a project incorporating the student’s experiences from and observations of the setting. 4. Upon return to UTMB, submit reflection assignment, prepare a scientific abstract, and present a poster presentation at the annual UTMB Global Health Education symposium. |
Method of student evaluation
Check all that apply - complete appropriate
section(s) only:
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1. Clinical Observation |
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A. |
Frequency - How often are students
observed clinically? |
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|
Typically students have Spanish classes in the morning and then spend 4 hours per day (afternoons), 3-5 days per week in ambulatory clinical sites. |
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B. |
Format - What method(s) are used to
document the student's clinical performance? |
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Daily oral feedback
End of period oral feedback
Written feedback
Other |
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2. Oral Presentation |
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A. |
Audience - To whom does the student present? |
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Fellow students and faculty |
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B. |
Frequency / duration of presentation(s)? |
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Students will present to their designated faculty 1-3 times/week. |
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C. |
Format - What guidelines are set for
the student's presentation? |
| |
|
After students take medical histories and perform a physical exam, they typically present orally to their host site clinician, utilizing the focused history/exam skills learned in their POM-1 and POM-2 courses. Since this elective is available to year 3 and higher, they have had some classroom and some clinical exposure to oral presentation. No formal presentation guidelines are provided as part of the elective. |
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D. |
Assessment - Who assesses the student's
presentation performance? |
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Self-assessment
Peer assessment
Faculty assessment |
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E. |
Method of content selection |
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Current cases
Student-selected topic
Assigned topic |
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3. Written Assignment (H&P's,
notes, papers, abstracts, etc.) |
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A. |
Frequency of written assignment(s)? |
| |
|
Varies. Each language school will have their own curriculum and requirements. For UTMB, students will be required to complete a reflection survey, write an abstract, and present a poster presentation at the annual UTMB Global Health Education Symposium in October. |
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B. |
Format - What guidelines are set for
the student's written work? |
| |
|
Reflection activity is short answer via online survey. The abstract structure will be provided during preparation assignments and will be refined by mentor. |
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C. |
Length of written assignment(s)? |
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Abstract
Annotated bibliography
1 - 2 page paper
3+ page paper |
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D. |
Are recent references required?
|
| |
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Yes
No
|
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E. |
Method of content selection - e.g.
student-selected, relate to cases, etc.? |
| |
|
Student-selected, but assigned mentor will guide students and give final approval of topic. |
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F. |
Audience - Who
assesses the student’s written performance? |
| |
|
Peer Assessment
Faculty Assessment
Other |
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4. Extra Course Activities |
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What expectations do you have for the
student to demonstrate participation in the course (e.g. small group
activities, seminars, thoughtful questions, providing resources, journal
club, etc.)? |
| |
|
Attend cultural activities and attend language classes
Prior to Departure: Students are expected to participate in preparation activities including group meetings on logistics, safety, and projects. Complete required online modules on global health topics and the academic skills building modules that cover designing, implementing, and disseminating a scholarly project. Participate in clinical rounds, case discussions; health education, and ongoing community or research projects of preceptor/mentor. Specific activities of the rotation will be decided between a faculty mentor and the student. Post-rotation requirements: Abstract, Reflection Survey (optional debriefing meeting), Course evaluations, preceptor evaluation. Poster presentation at UTMB Global Health Education Symposium in October. |
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5. Other Modes of Evaluation |
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Please explain below. |
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Written evaluation by language instructor will be completed. |
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6. Stipend Availability |
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Yes
No
Maybe |
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