Global Health Track

Global Health in Medicine Program

The Global Health in Medicine Program at BIDMC supports clinicians who strive to be leaders in addressing global health disparities by developing, strengthening and refining skills as humble, effective practitioners in resource-challenged settings. The program focuses on clinical stewardship, medical education and quality improvement in the context of long-term, local partnerships. Through the Global Health Residency Track and Global Health Residency Elective, residents gain optimal educational experiences through local, regional and national global health rotations in underserved and marginalized communities.

Residency Track

Learning how to work effectively in resource-limited settings requires both training and experience. The Global Health Track within the Internal Medicine Residency Program offers both within a traditional 3-year internal medicine residency training program.

  • Available to residents starting PGY-2 year, application required mid-PGY-1 year.
  • Attend a collaborative 10-14 day Global Health Bootcamp in early PGY2 year with other Boston-area affiliated global health residents and fellows.
  • Up to 12 weeks in two global health opportunities; up to six weeks abroad each (four weeks + two weeks vacation) – one during PGY2, one during PGY 3 year. One elective must be with the Botswana Global Health Program.
  • Attend at least 70% Global Health Curriculum Series in PGY2 and PGY3 year.
  • Lead rounds and engage in clinical teaching at bedside while at SLH.
  • Give at least 2 formal didactics to medical students, interns and/or SLH medical staff.
  • Opportunity to engage in longitudinal quality improvement projects.
  • Mentorship by program director, country director and global health fellows.
  • Up to $1,500 travel reimbursement per global health elective.

Residency Elective

This elective is available to Internal Medicine residents in PGY2 or PGY3 year, during “Area of Concentration (AOC)” time. Applications are required. Our main site is Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Botswana.

  • Up to 6 consecutive weeks abroad (4 weeks + 2 weeks vacation) in Botswana.
  • Must participate in 40% of Global Health Curricular sessions in the academic year of their travel.
  • Lead rounds, engage in clinical teaching at bedside while at SLH.
  • Give at least 2 formal didactics to med-students, interns and/or SLH medical staff.
  • Opportunity to engage in longitudinal quality improvement projects at SLH.
  • Mentorship by program director, country director and global health fellows.
  • Up to $1,500 travel reimbursement for BIDMC medicine residents.

Additional locations: Residents may also seek domestic global health experiences through the Indian Health Service or at BIDMC-affiliated community health centers. Residents have completed global health electives in Vietnam and Gabon, though these require approval on a case-by-case basis.