Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
The RAD-AID Medical Student Program is for medical students who are seeking research, public health, and clinical experience in the developing world and underserved regions (including low and middle-income countries as well as low-resource areas of medically underserved high-income countries). Medical imaging and radiology are vital to most medical and surgical specialties, and we encourage students of all clinical interests to apply.
On what kinds of projects can I work?
During fieldwork, medical students can participate in outreach projects by conducting radiology-readiness assessments, researching local health care system attributes, analyze health care policy strategies, taking notes during site-visit meetings with local stakeholders, interpreting/translating for bilingual sites, research disease incidence/prevalence for health care capacity-building to meet local community needs.
Some examples of our previous medical student volunteers include a University of North Carolina student doing a project in Geneva with RAD-AID’s liaison to the World Health Organization, a Columbia student working with RAD-AID in Haiti at a local clinic on cancer screening, an NYU student helping the RAD-AID team in Tanzania for educational program development, a Johns Hopkins student working on RAD-AID’s mobile program in India for women’s health outreach, and two George Washington University students working in Bhutan on pediatric radiology.
Who can apply?
Medical students who are currently matriculated at a medical college and are in good academic standing in their medical school program (transcript may be required for validation). The applicant’s medical college must be an institution accredited by government or medical licensing authorities of the college’s nation of origin. For example, US medical students must be in good standing at an institution that is ACGME accredited.
How much funding is needed for the fieldwork?
There is no exact amount of funding needed for travel but approximate ranges include USD $1000 for sites in the Caribbean/Central America, USD $2500 for South America, USD $3500 for Africa and Central Asia, and USD $4500 for Southeast Asia.
What’s the process?
Apply for online course -> Complete course -> Apply for fieldwork -> Interview -> Complete Field Project
Does RAD-AID provide funding for medical students?
Medical students must fully fund their own process. Selected students must also purchase insurance that covers their travel. Students may ask their medical schools, as some schools provide funding for this kind of projects.
How do I get selected for fieldwork?
You’ll first need to earn a RAD-AID Global Health Radiology Medical Student Tutorial Certificate upon completion from RAD-AID’s online course in global health for medical students and perform well in the online course assessments. Upon completion of the online curriculum, you will become eligible to apply for Field Placement based on your prior experience, skills, and goals.
It is recommended that, in preparation for your field placement, you observe/shadow a radiology service at your medical institution. This will give you greater insight into how medical imaging services are delivered to patients before conducting your fieldwork.
We cannot guarantee field placements for all medical students, but we certainly try. Field Placements for medical students in RAD-AID sites depend on the performance of the online curriculum, travel-schedule availability of the student, funding for project expenses, and approval by our regional program leader.
What’s in the online course?
The online course will equip you with the skills to analyze radiology resources in developing countries and underserved regions. You will learn methods for improving access to diagnostic imaging technologies, clinical workflows, referral patterns, screening programs, as well as how new medical devices and digital imaging technologies can be introduced and scaled.
Students must complete the reading, related assignments, and quizzes for ten modules within the Tutorial—at least three modules per week (with one week containing four). Seven of ten modules are compulsory, and students can choose three more from subject and application modules.
The core required modules are:
- Introduction and Review of Stakeholders
- Radiology in Global Health
- Medical Ethics in Global Health Radiology
- Radiology Readiness and Country Reports
- Access to Imaging Technology in Global Health
- Cultural Competency
- Educational Strategies
- Equipment in Global Health Radiology
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Opportunities for Growth
Subject and Application Modules (select a minimum of three units):
- Public Health
- Safety & Medical Physics
- Ultrasound in Global Health
- Information Technology in Global Health Radiology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Economics and Global Health Radiology
- Infectious Disease
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Pediatrics
- Maternal and Fetal Health
- Women’s Imaging in Global Health
- Mobile Strategies
- Disaster Response
- Trauma Imaging
- Interventional Radiology
- Radiation Oncology
The online course includes assignments and assessments that are used to inform fieldwork placements. Those who pass will earn will receive a certificate of completion in RAD-AID’s Medical Student Tutorial in Global Health.
After being selected for fieldwork, what’s next and how long is fieldwork?
RAD-AID will brief students prior to deployment on how to prepare, including required vaccinations, visas, tickets, and accommodations. Students will be given a report template to complete during their fieldwork. Field placements can be of variable length depending on the student’s availability, usually 2-4 weeks, but placements can be longer and can be arranged with the RAD-AID Program Manager.
What’s expected upon return?
Returned volunteers will complete a report for RAD-AID on their fieldwork and receive a certificate as a RAD-AID Global Health Radiology Medical Student Scholar.
What do medical students say about this experience?
Read insights from Mohamed Eltilib, BS, MD-Candidate of the 2019-2020 RAD-AID Medical Student Program.
Apply Now. For further information, email info@rad-aid.org.
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