A suitcase full of new experiences
Mariëtte Diderich, Head International Office Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
The doctor of the future must be able to deal with a multitude of nationalities with a vast range of cultural differences, as well as being aware of his/her own frame of reference.
"That you think, act and communicate from this as a doctor” says Mariëtte Diderich, head of the International Office at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc. "This framework is culturally determined and there is no better way to become aware of it than to work abroad for a while. Being part of a team in a different setting, learning to improvise, stepping outside of your own comfort zone. Then you see that your way of thinking and doing is not always a matter of course, or the only way.
In addition, you will probably also see other pathologies than in the Netherlands. The choice to act or not is determined by very different factors than you are used to. In Africa, for example, treatment is sometimes not carried out for socio-economic reasons. In the Caribbean you will experience the important role that religion plays in daily life. There are very different opinions about sensitive themes like euthanasia all over the world. That's what you learn when you – literally and figuratively – push your boundaries.
Personal responsibility
Of course, the educational institute ensures you are well-prepared for your adventure abroad. Diversity is an important part of the continuous learning trajectory of professional development. And depending on what you are going to do abroad, there will be information sessions, one-on-one meetings and, for those traveling beyond Europe, a course about the tropics is offered. "But,” Mariëtte says emphatically, "if you want to go abroad, you also have a responsibility to properly prepare yourself. For example, what is the set-up of the healthcare system there? What is the socio-economic situation? What are the common pathologies? We offer a lot, but if you want to get the most out of your experience abroad, you will have to make an effort yourself, too."
'Being part of a team in a different setting, learning to improvise, stepping outside of your own comfort zone.'
And nowadays 40% of the students in the Master's program are doing a clerkship abroad.
Flexible
Of course your adventure abroad may prove a disappointment. "That's possible," says Mariëtte. But it doesn't happen very often. "In that case you just have to power through it, but it turns out you can also learn a lot from going through a difficult time." However, the overwhelming majority of students find that they want to travel more. Those who do a healthcare internship abroad in their first year often seize every opportunity to travel again. "Of course, you have to be a little flexible. And you don't go abroad to tell the people there how things should be done. You go to work hard, to do your part and to learn from it.”
Embedded
What do you end up taking back home? "A suitcase full of new experiences. Not only does it better prepare you for your career as a doctor, but it also makes you more confident." It's kind of like an advanced personal development course. Then why doesn't everyone go abroad? "Well, it's not the be-all and end-all," she says, trying to put things in perspective. "You're not obligated to go. But at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, we have embedded the option very nicely in the educational program. About 40% of the students in the Bachelor's program gain experience abroad. They either do a healthcare internship or pursue a minor at a foreign university. And nowadays 40% of the students in the Master's program are doing a clerkship abroad." She would also be thrilled if newly graduated doctors would spend some time working in the hospital where they had previously done an internship. "I know, for example, that in Aruba they'd like to attract such people. And if you already know the hospital and have had good experiences, why not seize the opportunity?
About 40% of the students in the Bachelor's program gain experience abroad.
"Gaining experience with diversity? You can do it in Tanzania or America, but also in Amsterdam"
'Whether spending time abroad will make you a better doctor depends on the purpose of your trip: what are you going to do abroad?'
Should all prospective doctors spend time studying abroad? You might expect to hear an emphatic “yes” if you ask Petra Verdonk, lecturer and coordinator of the Interculturalisation and Diversity learning trajectory. Think again. Studying abroad. Outside your familiar surroundings and comfort zone. That's important, because that's how you learn to deal with other customs and cultures. And ultimately that makes you a better doctor. Right? Well, no, not necessarily, according to Verdonk. "Whether spending time abroad will make you a better doctor depends on the purpose of your trip: what are you going to do abroad? What do you want to learn? And how are you going to do that?"
She provides an example to illustrate her point: "I once attended a lecture by a student who had been to Aruba for his clerkships. When he came back he was so pedantic. The student thought everything in the Netherlands was better organized. In his opinion, patients in Aruba lake liberties with their doctor. Consequently, he had developed a paternalistic attitude towards patients. But that is the last thing we want in the Netherlands."
Thorough reflection
Verdonk feels that some students return from abroad as worse doctors instead of better ones. How can you prevent that? As a student, by thoroughly reflecting on the situations that you encounter in other cultural contexts. According to Verdonk, experience abroad is not a criterion for the quality of a doctor. "At Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, it is important to us that you are able to cope with a diverse patient population. You can learn that in Tanzania or America, but also in Amsterdam. There are a lot of different learning experiences that can lead to comparable competence."
Petra Verdonk, lecturer and coordinator of the Interculturalisation and Diversity learning trajectory