Residency training in developing nations: An international elective for US physicians in training

Background: We propose several advantages for residents who experience elective rotations in developing nations. Residents participating in these electives are exposed to different cultures and see pathology not commonly found in their host nations. We describe the structure of such an elective program for pediatrics, combined medical/pediatrics and internal medicine physicians in training. Description: Residents rotated through 2 clinic sites: the Behrhorst Development Foundation in Chimaltenango, Guatemala, and the San Ignacio Clinic and Hospital in San Ignacio, Belize. Residents kept a log of patients and pathology encountered while undergoing the elective. They also recorded additional data to be used to describe their experiences. Evaluation: A total of 803 patients were seen by 3 visiting residents in 2 different countries. Residents encountered a wide range of medical problems including 10 different species of parasites. Conclusions: International electives are a feasible part of residency training. Residents participating in these experiences gain exposure to disease processes not found in their host countries. It is hoped that a greater understanding of medical humanism can result from such experiences.