Stony Brook Global Health Elective Pre-Departure Requirements

Pre-Departure Requirements

• Certain countries require vaccinations and proof of immunizations in order to travel. Mozambique requires yellow fever vaccination. Therefore, the resident must visit a travel clinic at least two months prior to departure to obtain all required vaccinations. The CDC website also has a travel section that addresses country specific recommendations: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
• Trainees must visit a travel clinic for appropriate prophylaxis prescriptions. This may include Malaria prophylaxis, a course of antibiotics for travelers diarrhea, and PEP for possible occupational exposure to HIV
• Trainees should register with the US embassy when they arrive in case of a natural disaster or major political upheaval. The state department also issues travel alerts and travelers should check their website prior to departure: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html
• Trainess must sign up for medical evacuation insurance through the Student Insurance Office or via GeoBlue. This will cover emergency or evacuation coverage if needed.  Coverage is free for all travelers approved to travel on Research Foundation funding.
• Trainees must obtain extended malpractice coverage before travelling.

Pre-Departure Required Courses and Readings

• Johns Hopkins, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Ethical Challenges in Short-Term Global Health Training
  • Complete course and print certificates of completion
• AMPATH Fireside Chat—Medical Missions: How to (maybe) help people and not be a jerk
• ACOG, Committee on Ethics and Committee on Global Women’s Health (OBGYN only)
• How NOT to save the world: Why U.S. students who go to poor countries to ‘do good’ often do the opposite
• Farmer P and Gupta R. International Electives; Maximizing the Opportunity to Learn and Contribute. Medscape General Medicine. 2005;7(2):78.
• Mozambique: The people, the history, and culture.

Pre-Departure Required Meetings

• Attend an in person pre-departure meeting with the course director to discuss the goal and objectives of the rotation.
• Video conference with Field Director or faculty supervisor via video call (Skype, WhatsApp or Facetime) prior to departure
• Attend 6 a hour course of Medical Portuguese at Preply

Links and Forms

• Travel Pre-Approval Form
• Planning Timeline and Checklist
• Pre-departure Agreement
• Risk Reduction Agreement
• Emergency Contact Form
• Packing List
• Travel and Safety Resource List