Individual electives as part of an IFMSA project

In addition to the studentship in health care in developing countries, and research placements in a developing country, third year students are now also able to take an elective component of their course in a developing country.

A number of projects organised by the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) are in principle relevant to health in developing countries. In consultation with the IFMSA, the following decisions have been made in relation to such an individual elective:

Requirements:
The NIIH will support an individual student’s elective, subject to the following conditions:

1. Only students who are counting the studentship as an individual elective within their study plan are eligible.
2. The room allowed for electives is a maximum of 11 credits. If a student has already enrolled for elective modules, it is no longer possible to choose an individual elective.
3. Before departure, an individual study plan must be presented and approved, first by the supervising lecturer and then by the Board of Examiners.
4. The individual study plan must indicate the learning goal, the timetable, the product (such as a report), and the local and faculty (UMCN) supervisor.
5. Provisional approval will be granted on the basis of the individual study plan. This approval means that the work done during the studentship will be recognised if the planned learning goals are achieved. If there are good reasons for deviating from the study plan once in the field, and relevant learning goals are achieved through alternative activities, these can be approved retrospectively, at the lecturer’s discretion.
6. The number of credits to be awarded is decided in each case. The time spent outside the country is not simply translated into 1,5 credit per week. Time for literature study and reporting is included in the calculation. The number of credits will usually be 5,5, and may be up to 11.
7. During the exchange project, the student must systematically record his or her observations.
8. After returning, a report must be handed in, based on a literature review and findings in the field.
9. If a forum can be found, a presentation will be held.
10. After returning, the student will submit a declaration from his or her field work supervisor.  

Coordinator: Henri A. van Asten, MD MPH