Stanford International Emergency Medicine Fellowship

Overview

Recognition of the vital role emergency medical services play in the health care of a country has prompted a burgeoning interest in International Emergency Medicine (EM).  Many developing nations struggle to provide emergency medical care to their citizens.  Adequate infrastructure is often lacking, and even in areas with significant financial and medical resources, emergency medical personal training is limited.  Furthermore, EM is often not recognized as a medical specialty overseas, making it unfeasible for interested care providers to obtain the skills required to deliver effective care. 

The Stanford Emergency Medicine International Fellowship is a 1-year or 2-year program.  The optional second year is available for those applicants interested in obtaining a masters degree in public health.  The MPH coursework is completed in affiliation with the world-renowned University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health.  Concentration on international health care in the epidemiology/biostatistics or interdisciplinary programs is available.

Goals and Programs

Fellowship goals follow the outlines put forth by the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine and the American College of Emergency Physicians.  Focus is on the development of necessary skills to work in cooperation with local health care providers and government officials to assess international health care systems and identify pertinent emergency medical health issues.  After identifying the needs of the local community, fellows will learn to develop, implement, and integrate programs that address these challenges.  The fellow’s specific areas of interest will dictate the core activities. 

Stanford faculty members are actively involved in a variety of ongoing international projects.  Areas include, but are not limited to, emergency medical services, disaster relief, rural medical clinics and village healthaid education programs, and trauma system development.  Training and education are integral components of Stanford’s international development programs and areas of concentration of the fellowship directors.  Involvement of the fellow in ongoing projects is encouraged, including participation in the Stanford Emergency Medicine International Visiting Scholars Program.

Recent international endeavors:
• EMT-Intermediate training program, southern India
• Training emergency medicine physician educators in conjunction with UCLA Center for International Emergency Medicine (CIEM), Egypt
• Trauma lecture series training program in conjunction with UCLA CIEM, China
• Evaluation of the pediatric Broselow tape in India, Chennai, India

Research and Project Development

In addition to participation in ongoing departmental ventures, an independent research project or development of a new international program is required for completion of the fellowship.  Assistance will be provided by the fellowship directors and other available faculty.  Accessing available funding sources is a vital skill in implementing international EM programs and, therefore, attaining funding for the fellow-directed research or program is the responsibility of the fellow.

Clinical Activities

International EM fellows’ salaries are covered by working as clinical instructors in Stanford’s Emergency Department (ED).  Stanford Hospital is part of a world renowned medical center and home to a Level I trauma center with aero-medical transport.  Additionally, fellows will provide attending physician coverage in the Stanford/Lucile Packard Pediatric ED.  The diverse, high acuity patient populations at Stanford and Lucile Packard challenge fellows to continue mastering their clinical skills.  The expected work obligation is 16 to 20 hours per week in the ED.

Educational Activities

Participation in residency & departmental activities is required; offering the fellow the opportunity to hone their academic, teaching, and presenting skills.  This involvement includes resident and medical student education; both within the Stanford Emergency Department and at core lectures.  Fellows lecture regularly on internationally-related topics at the Stanford-Kaiser EM residency program conferences; and may be invited to present at a national level as part of the acclaimed annual Stanford Symposium on Emergency Medicine.

Application Process

The program is limited to one fellow per year.  Graduation from an accredited U.S. Emergency Medicine residency program is required.  For further information regarding the fellowship and the application process please contact: