With Winter Term internships just around the corner, and summer internships not far behind, we thought it timely to remind you about engaging in clinical shadowing opportunities abroad.
Serving as a medical volunteer, EMT or getting clinical observation hours abroad can be a transformative experience. Students often come away with new insights into global healthcare challenges and can speak eloquently to the differences between the patient experience in the United States and abroad. It is vital, however, to understand the limitations of what you can and cannot do while abroad; we like the saying, “If you can’t do it here, you shouldn’t do it there!”. Before embarking on an abroad experience, please carve out some time to read this article and work through the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety online module so that you position yourself to have a safe and ethical medical internship.