Browsing by keyword "*Travel"
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Effect of a global longitudinal pathway on medical students' attitudes toward the medically indigentBACKGROUND: The increase in people with insufficient health insurance has largely been fueled by a record influx of immigrants, who often live in medically underserved areas of inner cities. An increase in the desire of medical students to practice in underserved areas is needed to counter low physician-to-population ratios in these areas. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a Pathway on Serving Multicultural and Underserved Populations, which includes domestic and international experiences with recent immigrant groups, on the attitudes of students toward the indigent. METHODS: Students from the classes of 2002 and 2003, including a cohort in the Pathway program, were participants in this study. Changes in attitudes within Pathway and non-Pathway students were studied over their 4 years of medical school. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the rate of change of attitudes over time. The determination of any potential difference was hampered by small sample sizes. Thus, interesting trends, especially related to a more rapid decline in attitudes of non-Pathway students, including their sense of professional responsibility, did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Further research, both quantitative and qualitative, is needed before we can state more definitively that the Pathway curriculum supports positive attitudes toward serving the medically indigent.
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Global TravEpiNet: a national consortium of clinics providing care to international travelers--analysis of demographic characteristics, travel destinations, and pretravel healthcare of high-risk US international travelers, 2009-2011BACKGROUND: International travel poses a risk of destination-specific illness and may contribute to the global spread of infectious diseases. Despite this, little is known about the health characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers, particularly those at higher risk of travel-associated illness. METHODS: We formed a national consortium (Global TravEpiNet) of 18 US clinics registered to administer yellow fever vaccination. We collected data regarding demographic and health characteristics, destinations, purpose of travel, and pretravel healthcare from 13235 international travelers who sought pretravel consultation at these sites from January 2009 through January 2011. RESULTS: The destinations and itineraries of Global TravEpiNet travelers differed from those of the overall population of US international travelers. The majority of Global TravEpiNet travelers were visiting low- or lower-middle-income countries, and Africa was the most frequently visited region. Seventy-five percent of travelers were visiting malaria-endemic countries, and 38% were visiting countries endemic for yellow fever. Fifty-nine percent of travelers reported >/=1 medical condition. Atovaquone/proguanil was the most commonly prescribed antimalarial drug, and most travelers received an antibiotic for self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea. Hepatitis A and typhoid were the most frequently administered vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Data from Global TravEpiNet provide insight into the characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers who are at increased risk of travel-associated illness due to itinerary, purpose of travel, or existing medical conditions. Improved understanding of this epidemiologically significant population may help target risk-reduction strategies and interventions to limit the spread of infections related to global travel.
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The effect of medical students' international experiences on attitudes toward serving underserved multicultural populationsBACKGROUND: We evaluated the effect of international electives on the attitudes of preclinical and clinical-year medical students with respect to serving underserved multicultural populations. METHODS: A self-assessment instrument was used to measure attitudes of 146 students before and after participating in international electives. The same attitudinal items were also analyzed at two time intervals for 18 students who completed international electives as preclinical students and 76 class cohorts who did not. RESULTS: Analyses show that the effect of international experiences is different for preclinical students and clinical students. For both groups, however, these experiences can develop and support perceptions and values conducive to serving underserved multicultural populations. These include reported increases in cultural competence and important personal attributes like idealism and enthusiasm. In addition, these experiences can heighten clarity about career roles, including those involving underserved multicultural patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the hypothesis that international electives develop attributes that could benefit underserved multicultural populations.
