Global Health in Medicine Resident Elective

Botswana Medicine Resident Elective & Global Health Residency Elective

The Botswana Medicine Resident Elective and Global Health Residency Elective at BIDMC provide Internal Medicine residents, Family Medicine residents and Medicine subspecialty fellows with unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience in resource-limited settings. Participants work primarily at Scottish Livingstone Hospital (SLH) in Botswana, addressing health challenges posed by ongoing HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics, and a rising burden of non-communicable diseases. Under the supervision of BIDMC's on-site attending physician, participants deliver inpatient care alongside SLH medical officers and trainees. There are also opportunities to engage in ambulatory care and outreach visits to district health care facilities.

This elective is designed to enhance clinical stewardship, medical education and quality improvement, while fostering the development of teaching skills and clinician educator experience. Participants are encouraged to contribute to longitudinal quality improvement efforts during their time in Botswana.

Key Components of the Elective

• Up to six (6) consecutive weeks in Botswana (4 weeks of clinical work + 2 weeks vacation).
• Lead rounds and engage in bedside clinical teaching at SLH.
• Deliver at least two (2) formal didactic sessions to medical students, interns or SLH staff.
• Participate in longitudinal quality improvement projects.
• Mentorship provided by the program director, country director and global health fellows.
• Up to $1,500 travel reimbursement for BIDMC medicine residents.

In addition to the Botswana program, residents can explore global health experiences through BIDMC-affiliated community health centers, such as the Indian Health Service in Alaska or New Mexico, or other approved locations, allowing for a diverse range of opportunities tailored to residents' interests.