Floating Doctors Programme
The programme is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver medical aid in low-resource environments and emergencies. Incorporating principles of global health, tropical medicine, and disaster management, this unique program promises an immersive learning experience that transcends traditional classroom boundaries.
Use WEMDIS when booking for a $200 discount
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Key Facts
This course is tailored for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and others. It’s particularly useful for those interested in humanitarian medicine, global health, and working in low-resource settings. Live, experiential learning with a focus on cultivating practical skills through real-world scenarios.
You must be a:
- Medical or Allied Health Professional
- Student in your last two years of study.
Dates: 10 – 15 December, 2023
Location: Bocas del Toro, Panama
- Engaging modules delivered by experts in global health, tropical medicine, and disaster management.
- Unique opportunity to participate in live clinical deployments with the Floating Doctors medical team.
- Experiential learning in a culturally diverse location, facilitating both personal and professional growth.
Humanitarian Medicine
Course Content
- Engaging lectures on a variety of pertinent subjects will be delivered by seasoned professionals, with topics spanning cultural competency, disease management in resource-limited settings, clinical deployment strategies, pharmacy and supplies management in mobile clinics, and medico-legal aspects of mission work.
- Participants will have the opportunity to apply their learned skills in two field deployments, where they will provide healthcare services alongside the Floating Doctors team to communities in Playa Lorenzo and Playa Verde.
- This course offers hands-on sessions focused on essential clinical skills, such as suturing, neonatal resuscitation, patient examination, and ultrasound usage.
- In-depth lectures and study sessions will be conducted on subjects like maternal health, geriatrics and palliative care, paediatrics, parasites, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal issues, respiratory and cardiology issues, surgery in resource-limited settings, and envenomation.
- A variety of additional discussions and learning activities will help consolidate understanding and encourage active engagement with the course material.
Kit List
The following is a list of items to pack, as well as what we recommend you don’t bring. Due to shared living space, packing lightly is encouraged. Please limit yourself to no more than two small duffel bags or one travel backpack for clothing and personal items, and one small daypack (a school backpack is fine) for clinic days. We request that you do not bring any hard suitcases, due to space constraints.
Clothing
- Comfortable, casual clothing (scrubs are acceptable and available on base).
- Lightweight, full-coverage items for sun and bug protection.
- Quick-drying shorts/pants for hot weather.
- A hat and inexpensive sunglasses.
- Swimsuit for swimming and bathing on multi-day clinics.
- Sandals suitable for wet and muddy conditions.
- Rain poncho or jacket.
Important Documents
- Valid passport with at least three months before expiration.
- Travel insurance documents.
- Immunisation record.
- Photocopies of personal documents (e.g. passport, driver’s license).
- Funds for personal expenses.
Toiletries
- Basic toiletries, including bug spray (with DEET), sunscreen, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/paste, soap, deodorant, shaving gear.
- Personal hygiene items such as a brush, hair ties, wet wipes.
- If applicable, enough prescribed medication for your stay, glasses, and contact lenses.
- Towel (preferably lightweight travel towel).
Clinic Items
- Personal medical equipment (e.g., stethoscope, otoscope).
- 1-2L water bottle and small daypack.
- Waterproof bags and phone cases.
- If applicable, allergy medications and EpiPens.
Electronics/Entertainment
- A computer (be aware of potential damage due to humidity and rain).
- Camera for capturing memories.
- Books for leisure reading.
Optional Items
- Umbrella for boat rides (can be purchased in Bocas).
- Hiking shoes, if you plan to do recreational hiking.
- Hand sanitizer for personal use.
- Headphones for personal entertainment.
- Thumb drive for sharing documents, music, and photos
Do Not Bring
- Hard suitcases or trunks.
- Any kind of weapon.
- Illegal or recreational drugs.
- Valuable items without sufficient waterproofing.