Global Health Education: Pre-Elective Workshops

In 2003, Skillshare International developed and delivered the first pre-elective workshop in response to a need raised by medical students at the University of Leicester preparing for their electives overseas. We offer this workshop to all medical schools and students who are interested. It aims to explore and develop students' understanding of issues around working and studying in developing countries. 

Workshops are led by staff from the medical school and Skillshare International. Medical students who have completed an elective in a developing country also contribute to the workshops. It is a full day's training that provides the opportunity to discuss and reflect on some of the personal, social and work issues and challenges raised by people who have worked overseas. Through this experience students are exposed to a wider global perspective of living and working in the health sector. Areas covered in the workshop include:

• Motivation and expectations for working in a developing country
• Coping with cultural difference and dealing with different attitudes to health care
• Managing the expectations (positive and negative) which your developing world colleagues will have of you, as a medical student training in the UK
• Integrating your experience into your life and work in the UK when you return
• Dealing with practical issues: information sharing on your return

“The pre-elective course was a valuable opportunity that helped prepare me for my elective in a number of ways. As well as providing some useful tips on what to take, it allowed me to take time to consider how to behave and what my role should be whilst in Ghana”. Laurence Wicks, medical student 2005

For more information about the pre-elective workshops offered by Skillshare International, please contact Dr Raúl Pardíñaz-Solís