Join us in-country and virtually to experience clinical medicine, participate in research and make an impact!
In-Country Components: You will join on a special Global Medical Brigade in Panama where participants provide primary health care services to small, under-resourced, rural communities with limited to no access to medical care. Physicians here work with vulnerable populations to provide patient consults and prescribe treatment for acute illnesses. Students work in triage, shadow physicians, provide education workshops, and assist in medicine distribution in the pharmacy. They also contribute to enhancing the capacity of community health workers (CHWs) on chronic illness screening techniques.
* Only $500 due at time of application. Airfare is not included. Our travel team can work with students to help them book air transport.
This innovative virtual experience for pre-med students is a part of our Panama Pathways program and provides a uniquely comprehensive learning opportunity. Through a total of 32 virtual hours, participants can dive deep into the field of medicine and gain practical knowledge beneficial to their future careers.
The virtual research program provides participants the opportunity to accrue 20 hours of tangible research experience. Participants will attend interactive seminars on research design and methodology delivered by local public health experts, who will shed light on the unique health challenges of rural communities in Honduras. The program dives beyond surface-level understanding, inviting participants to explore the intricate landscape of public health topics and phenomena, formulate hypotheses, and analayze data. This will culminate in the construction of a Community Health Action Plan that strategically addresses the issues pressing the community in terms of healthcare services and accessibility of water and sanitation infrastructure.
Additionally, the program includes 12 hours of clinical shadowing sessions, divided into six unique two-hour experiences across various global locations. This offers a peek into diverse medical practices worldwide, broadening their perspective on global healthcare.
In Greece, students will observe a pediatric consultation at our Urban Clinic in Athens, supporting refugees and migrants from North Africa and the Middle East.
In Ghana, students will gain insight into family medicine practices in rural communities with little to no access to physicians or medicine.
In Honduras, students will witness a variety of medical specialties at our Urban Clinic in Tegucigalpa. These include family medicine, dental, ophthalmology, and pharmacology.
This international clinical shadowing experience gives pre-med students a global perspective on healthcare and provides an understanding of medical practices in various cultural contexts, thereby preparing them for a holistic medical career.
Student involvement directly finances continuous medical support for economically challenged communities in Panama.
Beyond just observation, depending on the specialty and attending physician, you may participate in patient care, including procedures, physical examinations, and history taking.
Immerse yourself in diverse cultural contexts to understand how socio-cultural factors influence healthcare practices and patient care around the globe.
Part of the Global Medical Telebrigade experience is having a physician alongside you so you can learn the medicine being delivered.
Witnessing healthcare in four global locations helps students compare health systems and explore varied patient care techniques.
Day 1 (Arrival Day)
4:00PM – Arrive at Lodging facility and settle in.
5:00PM – Introduction to Brigades
7:00PM – Dinner
8:00 PM – Holistic Model Overview/Discussion & preparation for Research Days (KoboTool Training)
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Day 2 thru Day 4 (Research Days)
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Transports to Community
9:00AM – Research Day
12:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – Research Day
5:00PM – Transport to Lodging Facility
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Reflection
9:00PM – Continued Work on Research
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Day 5 (Cultural Day)
7:00AM – Breakfast
9:00AM – Panama Canal
12:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – Monkey Island Tour
5:00PM – Transport to Lodging Facility
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Preparation for Clinic Days and Medications Packing
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Day 6 (Clinic Day)
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Transports to Community
9:00AM – Medical Clinic
12:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – Medical Clinic
5:00PM – Transport to Lodging Facility
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Medical Program Introduction
9:00PM – Mock Clinic
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Day 7 (Clinic Day)
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Transports to Community
9:00AM – Medical Clinic
12:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – Medical Clinic
5:00PM – Transport to Lodging Facility
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Reflection on Panama Health System
9:00PM – Data Infomatics
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Day 8 (Clinic Day)
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Transports to Community
9:00AM – Medical Clinic
12:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – Medical Clinic
5:00PM – Transport to Lodging Facility
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Reflection on HPC Exchange
9:00PM – Data Infomatics, Final Reflection on HPC Exchange & Pack Up!
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Day 9
Depart to Airport
Participating in an international medical program can help you gain medical experience and put your application on a whole new level. It’s an opportunity to create authentic relationships with your peers while making an impact in the lives of low resourced communities.
Have more questions? Give us a call or chat with us.Â
Yes, to maintain a high-caliber student culture, we interview students before participation. We require students to be at least 18 years old and enrolled in a college or university. Students must demonstrate a minimum 3.0-grade point average. If you are an international student, you are welcome to participate, but you are responsible for researching and obtaining any travel documents you may need to reach your program destination.
No, an initial non-refundable application fee of $500 is required to reserve your spot (note, if the trip is canceled by MedSchoolCoach or Global Medical Brigade for any reason, this deposit will be refunded). Full payment of the remaining balance will be charged to your credit card on file 120 days prior to departure.
Areas of observation will vary depending on the needs of a community. Common issues include cardiovascular, pediatrics, OB/GYN, pulmonology, and infectious disease. As the program dates approach, we will provide a detailed itinerary with specialties that will be covered during clinics, based on community need.
Letters of recommendation can be written by any of our U.S.-based physician staff members or by the Panamanian-based physicians. However, letters of recommendation are not guaranteed and their solicitation will be at the student’s discretion.
This will depend on the area of observation and the attending physician’s and/or healthcare professional’s decision, alongside the patient. As participants are not trained or certified healthcare professionals, they will not be conducting procedures that could potentially put the patient at risk. Some permitted actions may range from taking vitals to assessment skills, or basic assists with bandaging, etc.
All rooms are designated for group occupancy. If you prefer single room accommodation, an additional charge of $50 per night will apply.
Single occupancy rooms have limited availability and can be reserved at the time of registration on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions regarding single room accommodations, you can contact us at enroll@medschoolcoach.com or call us at (888) 381-9509.
Each student is responsible for obtaining a valid passport required for travel to Panama. All students must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended stay in Panama. Passports expiring before then must be renewed prior to travel. Please begin any necessary passport procurement or renewal processes 3-4 months before the intended brigade. This is an immigration policy, not a Global Medical Brigades policy.
Each student is responsible for securing any necessary visas for travel to Panama, depending on their country of citizenship. Please note that US, Canadian, and UK citizens are not required to apply for visas to enter Panama. If required, each individual is responsible for their own visa processing and costs. Global Medical Brigades is not responsible for a student being denied entry into their destination country due to the lack of proper documentation. Please begin any necessary visa procurement processes 3-4 months before the intended brigade.
Basic travel insurance is included in the cost of the program; participants may elect to purchase additional insurance at an additional fee, or consider purchasing their own private insurance such as Allianz Travel Insurance.
Additionally, we recommend purchasing tuition insurance for this portion of your educational experience. Consider GradGuard.
Once you have paid in full, any refunds must be processed through your travel and/or tuition insurance provider, not through MedSchoolCoach.
Airfare is not included in the tuition. You should purchase your roundtrip domestic airfare from your home city to Panama, with the guidance and approval of one of our Travel Team Members.
Throughout your time in the program, you will be with Medical Brigades staff, on-site doctors, and MedSchoolCoach staffing. They will provide sick participants with access to the necessary healthcare or refer you to our existing relationships with local hospitals and clinics. A benefit of attending a Global Medical Brigade is that you will be surrounded by all levels of healthcare in Panama at all times. Your program managers will ensure that you always have access to staff during times of illness.
U.S. credit/debit cards are widely accepted in Panama, but U.S. dollars typically are not. Upon arrival in Panama, there will be an opportunity to exchange U.S. dollars for Panamanian balboa for daily tips and purchases.
Students will be led by local Panamanian program coordinators and directors throughout the entire experience. There will be one program coordinator or staff member for every ~15 students to ensure that everyone on the trip receives specialized attention. Our management team comprises experienced educators, nonprofit leaders, and current graduate or medical school-level students. Including drivers, translators, cooks, coordinators, and doctors, we usually have a 4 to 1 staff-to-student ratio among the Global Medical Brigade staff that accompany the students.