A group of first-year students from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) elected to spend part of their summer break helping people in rural Nicaragua. A total of 24 CCOM students participate in the medical volunteer trip from May 27 to June 3, 2014, in conjunction with the non-profit agency Global Medical Training. The goal of the trip was to provide medical care to impoverished areas throughout Nicaragua, primarily focusing on rural areas of Nicaragua that have little to no access to medical care.
“The trip not only allowed us to provide medical services to those in need, but it also served as an opportunity for us first-year medical students to practice the skills that we have acquired throughout the year,” said Jennifer Becker, a medical student and president of the International Health Club on the Downers Grove Campus of Midwestern University.
During the trip, Midwestern students had the opportunity to practice their physical exam and patient interviewing skills, in addition to further developing their ability to form a differential diagnosis. Students provided care under the direct supervision of licensed physicians and were able to gain important clinical experiences while broadening their understanding of global health issues.
