Our Curriculum

Fall: IDPT 5200: Introduction to Global Health

This one-credit course is designed to introduce clinicians in training to critical topics in global health. The course consists of lectures given and group discussions led by experts in a variety of global health-related diseases, public health priorities, and health policy issues. This includes:  

• Sustainable Development Goals
  
• Health Organizations and Structure 
  
• Maternal and Infant Mortality 
  
• Malnutrition  
  
• Women’s Health
  
• Surgery in low-resource settings
  
• Communicable/ Infectious Diseases 
  
• Oral Health 

Spring: IDPT 5012: Introduction to Global Health Research

• This seminar series is open to medical students and CHA/PA students in the Global Health Track. Topics include pre-travel health and safety considerations, ethical issues in global health, human rights and health, as well as research and philosophical tools for culturally appropriate care in a sustainable fashion. 
• The class is required of Global Health Track Students.  The University of Colorado requires that all medical students planning a global health project for their MSA be in the global health track and participate in this course.

Another objective of the class is to prepare the students to complete the Mentored Scholarly Activity (MSA) in global health. Students will have individual meetings with the global health track director to work towards this goal, formulate an MSA plan that is approved by the track director, and organize work towards the MSA for the summer between first and second years. For most students, the work will include travel to another country to participate in a global health project. For the few who cannot travel due to financial or personal constraints, a global health-based project will be pursued domestically (literature review, population-based or epidemiological studies, refugee health work). Second year track students also present their previous summer MSA work to the class. 

Summer: Longitudinal project within global health, either abroad or domestically. 4-8 weeks minimum. Includes registration for: 

• IDPT 5091: (If completing an MSA requirement and using financial aid)

This experience, as described above, will be completed as part of the MSA requirement. Project sites generally are those currently offered and vetted through the University of Colorado School of Medicine and/or Center for Global Health at the Colorado School of Public Health. Only Global Health Track (GHT) students are allowed to do their MSA or any research for credit abroad. Both GHT and non-GHT students can do clinical rotations and language immersion abroad. Students must identify both on-site and local mentors and register with the University of Colorado's Office of International Affairs to ensure safety and security while abroad (this includes travel insurance, liability coverage, and registering with the State Department). Student may elect to pursue a project that is not offered through the University specifically but this will require approval by the Deans office (medical students) or PA program director (CHA/PA program), the track director, and the Office of International Affairs. 

GHT students will have minimal time to participate in the global health track during this year of clinical rotations. They should keep regular contact with mentors/supervisors from the longitudinal project if possible. 

Fall: IDPT 8018 – Global Health and Disasters

The Global Health and Disasters Course is a two-week long intensive course held once a year at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The first week of the course covers a broad range of global health topics including infectious and non-communicable disease burden, global health ethics, and innovative strategies to improve global health equity. The second week of the course is the Pediatrics in Disasters training, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and implemented in countries all over the world. The interactive training incorporates lectures, small group problem solving learning exercises, technical skill sessions, and a disaster simulation exercise.

Track students are also encouraged to spend elective time at the Longitudinal Project/MSA site accessed Summer of Plains or working on it domestically. 

Completion of a final draft of the MSA and capstone presentation is due in January and March of the Summit year.

Students who meet the requirements set forth in the global health track will receive a certificate at graduation recognizing participation in the track. Final approval and verification of completion is the task of the track director in cooperation with the School of Medicine Longitudinal Curriculum Director (for medical students) and the Program Director and global health track director of the CHA/PA program (for CHA/PA students). 

Note: Clinical Health Associate/Physician Assistant students may also participate in the global health track. Two students per year from the CHA/PA program are selected for admission. These students complete the same coursework described above, but will finish the Summit requirements during their third year. Of note, CHA/PA students do not complete an MSA but are encouraged to complete a similar project as a "capstone" experience within their own program.