I had therefore been sure I would apply as soon I was able. However I had not thought it possible for me to combine this time out-of-program with time in a less developed country. It was only when my girlfriend and I began planning our trip that we discovered the RCPCH global links program (http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/what-we-do/rcpch-international/volunteering-overseas/global-links-volunteer-programme/global-links-v).
This program allows trainees the opportunity to spend 6-12 months in one of five African countries, namely Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and Sierre Leone. We discussed the possibility of whether we would both find this enjoyable and useful for our training. We both agreed that this would be a wonderful opportunity to spend time providing care in a low resource setting and to experience how medicine works in these areas. We also felt it would provide us with an opportunity to gain experience dealing with a range of conditions that are very uncommon in the UK. It was also a great opportunity to experience a completely different culture.
We duly registered our interest in both the global links placement and the exchange program run by Nottingham Children's Hospital and Melbourne Children's hospital.
Global Links
After registering our interest we were received warmly by the Global links team, especially Peter Nash (Manager). We completed an application form and following this had a phone interview. The interview was approximately 1 hour long and dealt with a great deal of issues that may arise whilst on placement. It was also an opportunity to raise any questions we may have. Following the interview we were promptly informed we would be offered a placement overseas.
The location of the placement was negotiable to some degree. We wanted to stay together and be in an urban setting if at all possible. The global links team were extremely helpful and although we did not get a placement in our country of choice, we did get a placement together and in location we were happy with.
We are due to spend 6 months in Jinja, Uganda starting in February 2013 as out-of-programme experience.
Melbourne Exchange
Following our inquiry about the Melbourne exchange program run by Nottingham Children's Hospital we were invited to send our C.V.s and references to Melbourne Children's hospital. A telephone interview was then arranged. The interview was arranged at a mutual convenient time (very early morning)! The interview covered areas expected for a paediatric registrar post.
Following this we were accepted for a 12 month placement at Melbourne Children's Hospital.
We are due to start our placement in Melbourne, Australia in August 2013 as out-of-programme training.
Challenges
Gaining OOPE/OOPT
Throughout the process of organising this training experience we have been extremely well supported by everyone at Nottingham Children's Hospital. The St1-3 training programme directors were extremely supportive in encouraging us with our request. Dr Damian Wood was very helpful in using his links with Melbourne Children's hospital to facilitate our application.
Dr Judith Grant (ST4-8 training program director, Nottingham Children's Hospital) was extremely helpful in help us to ensure we had considered all of the connotations of the time out of program and how we could meet our core competencies as well as get the most out of this opportunity for our future careers. Dr Grant also helped us to avoid the common pitfalls.
Throughout all of the process all the consultants involved in the training program have been completely supportive and given us advice to ensure we were able to complete our application without any problems.
Paperwork and VISAs
Currently were are arranging to have all our documents sent to the necessary people at the hospitals we will be working at. This have involved collating the documents and getting the notarised. This has mainly been necessary for our placement in uganda, and the Global links team have provided us with an excellent handbook to guide us through this process.
What's Next?
The next steps are to send in all the necessary paperwork and get VISAs and then to make sure we are properly prepared for what to expect and to plan what we want to do.
Over the next 20 months I plan to update the page to allow those interested to be informed about what we have been up to and to document the challenges we may face. Hopefully, this will include experiences of other doctors we meet in Uganda and some photos.
