Faculty Coordinator: Anna McDonald, M.D.

Introduction: 

We are witnessing a pivotal time for family medicine expansion globally.  Many countries are reorienting family medicine as the cornerstone of their health care system in order to provide comprehensive cost effective care with limited resources. Although the practice of Family Medicine will have distinct characteristics around the world, the core values remain: providing care that meets the fundamental health needs of the patient, is integrated, is prioritized, and offers healing above cure when appropriate.  Residents who are interested in the global impact of family medicine expansion are encouraged to learn about and participate in a variety of global health opportunities throughout their residency.  

Goal: Residents who are interested in global health will gain knowledge and experience to equip them to continue to participate meaningfully in global health after graduation.  

Objectives 

  • Increase medical knowledge about HIV, TB, Malaria, and other conditions that are more prevalent in the developing world

  • Increase comfort with practicing medicine in a resource poor setting

  • Experience healthcare disparity first hand 

  • Expand understanding of the interplay between culture and medicine; improve cultural competency   

  • Appreciate the geopolitical impact of epidemics on the developing world.  

  • Engage with the ethics and root causes that contribute to poor health outcomes among different groups of people

  • Understand and grapple with the role of the first world countries in the global health economy   

Requirement to graduate with Global Health AOC:

  • Spend one month working in one of the two global health approved sites Malawi or Guatemala

Plus obtain four additional points

  • Attend the global health elective offered through the University of Washington Department of global health during the fall (2 points)

  • Present at the annual AAFP global health or at a WONCA conference (2 points)

  • Present a global health talk (on one of the global health topics determined by the Global Health committee) during a Wednesday morning global health didactic session.  (Each lecture given is one point.)

  • Work together with Dr Hutchinson and assume an active role in facilitating the overseas rotation to Malawi. (2 points)

Reviewed and Updated: 7/1/17, Elizabeth Hutchinson

Effective: 7/1/15- 7/1/18