The Thailand International Health Program gives volunteers a unique insight into the many facets of the Thai healthcare system including hospital organization, structure and administration. This program is available to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, as well as to non-professionals such as pre-med and other health sciences students.
For non-professional volunteers, the International Health Program is mainly educational and observational. Volunteers have the opportunity to shadow Thai doctors and nurses while observing examinations, surgeries, births, and the treatment of tropical diseases. Legal restrictions in Thailand prohibit untrained volunteers from providing direct patient care or clinical work. However, volunteers have an opportunity to observe much more in these settings than in comparable settings in the U.S. or other developed countries.
A minimum six week commitment is required for the non-professional International Health Program. In order to insure project sustainability and provide a significant contribution to the communities served, all non-professional program participants will also serve a minimum of two weeks teaching as part of the Teach English Abroad Program or the Orphanage Care Program.
A longer nine-week International Health Internship is also available for those seeking to either fulfill academic requirements, or to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of public health issues in emerging nations. Depending on the volunteer’s training and experience, as well as the relationship developed with the hosting health professionals, long-term volunteers may also be able to assist as well as shadowing their hosts in their work.
GSC International Health Program professional volunteers are licensed health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and physician assistants who can share their skills and knowledge by working directly with Thai physicians and nurses. Although participants are unlikely to be able to read medical records or communicate directly with patients, these professionals will work closely with Thai doctors and nurses to assist them in direct patient care and clinical work.
