Accidents and Emergency Medicine Internship Abroad

The Accidents & Emergency (A&E) department, also known in different regions as the Emergency Room (ER), Emergency Department (ED), Emergency Ward (EW), or Casualty Department, serves as the primary point of entry for patients requiring immediate medical attention. While "ER" is commonly used in the United States, terms like "Casualty Department" are more familiar in the UK and Australia. These departments specialize in the acute care of patients with life-threatening conditions or severe injuries, providing critical and urgent medical services.

The Accidents & Emergency Department: A Hub of Urgency and Care

The Emergency Department at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), one of the busiest in Kenya, serves as the primary entry point for nearly all hospital admissions. Handling an average of 90 cases per day, it’s a hub for doctors across specialties, including trauma, surgery, and internal medicine. Trauma cases, ranging from road accidents to mob justice assaults, constitute the majority of the presentations, and round-the-clock staffing ensures that critical care is available when needed.

Looking to apply to our programs? Students will witness how healthcare professionals in East Africa navigate the challenges of limited resources while delivering high-quality care. With four attending doctors and six nurses per shift, the department manages everything from severe trauma to non-surgical cases like respiratory distress and infections. The resuscitation area is often the busiest, where life-saving interventions take place.

Why Choose the Accidents & Emergency Department for Your Medical Elective or Physician Assistant Clinical Rotations Abroad?

For those pursuing careers in emergency medicine, trauma surgery, or critical care, the A&E department offers unparalleled exposure to a range of acute and severe cases. Patients arrive with conditions such as fractures, severe burns, head trauma, and advanced medical conditions like tuberculosis and malaria. Many of these patients present at a later stage of illness, giving you the opportunity to witness diseases that are rarely seen in such critical states in Western healthcare systems.

The minor theater handles less severe injuries, giving students the chance to observe or assist with procedures like wound suturing, fracture management, and minor surgeries. Every day is different, and students will experience the unpredictable nature of emergency care firsthand. Find out more about emergency care procedures.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities for All Levels

Whether you're a premedical student seeking observational experience or a senior medical student ready for hands-on tasks, Go Elective Medical Internships Abroad ine Accidents and Emergency department offer learning opportunities that can be tailored to your education level.

• Premedical and preclinical students: Shadowing experienced physicians, assisting with minor tasks like recording patient histories, checking vital signs, and observing trauma and surgical procedures.
• Senior medical students, PA students or residents: Depending on your level of knowledge and eagerness, you may be called upon to assist with more advanced tasks, such as administering injections, assisting in surgeries, or participating in patient resuscitations under supervision.

Your role in the department will depend largely on your initiative and willingness to learn. Those who demonstrate competency and enthusiasm may find themselves involved in more complex procedures, while others may prefer to stick to shadowing roles. Go Elective Abroad encourages flexibility and adaptability as key components of your experience in Accidents & Emergency.

Start your application today to join Go Elective’s medical internships.

Elevate Your Medical Education with Firsthand Experience

Are you ready to take your medical education to the next level by gaining firsthand clinical experience in one of the most challenging and rewarding environments? Observing surgeries and emergency procedures in hospitals abroad.  Our Accidents and Emergency (A&E) department in Africa offers a unique and immersive experience that will transform your perspective on global healthcare. 

Whether you're a medical student, resident, or premedical student, this rotation will expose you to a diverse range of cases, many of which you may never encounter at home.

Rotating Through Departments: Broadening Your Medical Experience

One of the unique features of Go Elective Medical Internships Abroad is the ability to rotate between different departments based on your personal goals and areas of interest. While many students choose to focus exclusively on A&E, others may opt to gain experience in other critical departments, such as:

• Internal Medicine
• General Surgery
• Pediatrics
• OBGYN
• Orthopedics
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Radiology
• ENT
• Dental Unit
• DermatologyPsychiatry
• Physiotherapy

Each department offers its own set of learning opportunities, from diagnosing complex medical conditions in Internal Medicine to participating in critical care surgeries in General Surgery. The diversity of departments ensures that no matter your interest, you'll have the chance to build a well-rounded skill set. Explore the. Explore all healthcare specialties available with Go Elective here.

For those interested in global health, Chronic Care Clinics (CCC) offer a unique opportunity to work with stigmatized patient populations, particularly those suffering from conditions such as HIV and tuberculosis. These clinics also provide valuable insights into public health education and disease prevention, giving you a more holistic understanding of healthcare delivery in low-resource settings.

A Unique Learning Environment: Exposure to Rare Conditions

The A&E department in East Africa provides exposure to medical conditions that are rarely seen in developed countries. Students often encounter patients with advanced cases of infectious diseases, such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, which may have gone untreated for extended periods due to lack of access to healthcare.

In addition to infectious diseases, you’ll also see trauma cases resulting from road traffic accidents, violence, and industrial accidents—many of which require immediate, life-saving interventions. The lack of advanced diagnostic tools and equipment presents both a challenge and an opportunity to hone clinical decision-making skills without the usual reliance on technology.

Learn more or program costs and pricing.

Global Health Seminars and Volunteering

Beyond clinical work, Go Elective offers a rich experience in global health education. Weekly seminars cover pressing issues in global health, such as public health challenges in low-resource settings, healthcare policy in emerging economies, and infectious disease management. These seminars are a great opportunity to learn from experts and engage in discussions that deepen your understanding of the healthcare landscape in East Africa.

You’ll also have the chance to volunteer in local communities, providing preventive health education and participating in outreach programs. These experiences allow you to make a direct impact while gaining a broader perspective on how healthcare intersects with community well-being.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQs.

Cultural Immersion: Beyond Medicine

Your time in East Africa won’t be all work and no play. When you’re not in the hospital, you’ll have the chance to explore the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of the region. Spend your weekends on the white sandy beaches of the Kenyan coast, embark on a safari to see Africa’s famous wildlife, or take on the challenge of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

This blend of professional and personal growth makes Go Elective’s medical internships abroad truly unique. You’ll return home with not only enhanced clinical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social, and economic factors that influence healthcare delivery in developing countries.

Check out the amazing safari options Go Elective offers.

A Supportive Environment: Mentorship and Guidance

Go Elective ensures that you are never alone on your journey. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a local representative who will provide orientation and ensure that your accommodations are comfortable and secure. Each student is paired with a local physician or mentor who will guide your learning experience, offering both professional and personal advice.

We maintain open lines of communication with your mentors to ensure that your clinical experience is aligned with your educational goals, whether that means spending more time in A&E or rotating through multiple departments.

Conclusion: A Life-Changing Experience

The Accidents & Emergency department offers a fast-paced and highly educational environment for medical students and residents eager to grow their skills. From trauma cases to infectious diseases, the experience is intense, challenging, and ultimately transformative. You’ll gain hands-on experience, expand your understanding of global health, and immerse yourself in a new culture—all while making a real impact on the communities you serve.

Ready to take the leap? Join Go Elective and begin your journey toward becoming a more compassionate, knowledgeable, and well-rounded healthcare professional. Our programs are suitable for premed, nursing, PA students, residents and medical students.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Oct 22, 2024