Preparing Before You Go

• ·Working in International Child Health (a manual produced by the AAP Section on International Child Health; how to find and prepare for work in developing countries); can be found at the AAP Bookstore
• International Health: A Manual for Advisers and Students or in paperback from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
• The IHMEC Guidebook: Advising Medical Students and Residents for International Health Experiences (click on Resources)
• SUPERCOURSE, Univ. of Pittsburgh Dept. of Epidemiology. Hundreds of lectures on health in developing countries
• International Medical Volunteers Association, IMVA, click "Get Ready to Go"
• Christian Medical Fellowship/Health Serve (British)
• Have a reliable contact(s) at your overseas site (supervisor, evaluator)
• Investigate the site (work and living conditions--contact others who have been there!)
• Medical/professional preparations (diseases you'll see, malnutrition, limited diagnostic/treatment options, appropriate technologies, books to bring...)
• Language preparations (great starting place)
  Haitian Creole/English Medical Dictionary email IMVA, $10
  Portuguese/English Medical Dictionary (SE Mass. Area Health Ed Center, leave message for Patricia 508-748-0837)
  Spanish (many available); for Pediatric Spanish: AAP, 800-433-9016)
  Pocket Medical French, Russell K. Dollinger, Ph.D. (JDV Publishing, now Booksmart, 800-788-0064)
• Cultural preparation (travel guides such as Lonely Planet, Moon Handbooks; Intercultural Press--get free catalogue, 866-372-2665; personal contacts)
• Personal preparations (click on travelers health; visit local travel clinic)
• Medical, malpractice, and evacuation insurance
  1. WorldTravelCenter.com 1-800-234-1862 ext. 202 Offers medical, accident and disability insurance for relief workers, with coverage for acts of war and terrorism including chemical, nuclear and bio warfare.
  2. SOS 1-800-767-1403 Medical and evacuation insurance.
  3. Highway to Health
  4. Champion Insurance Advantage
  5. All Trip Insurance
  
• Safety issues/travel tips
• What to take/tips while there (books; keep a journal; keep your promises, or don't make them)