Student Mentorship on Hospital & Community Medical Placements

This article outlines the system and benefits of the professional mentorship given to medical and nursing students on our program in Tanzania, East Africa.

Mentors are the cornerstone of our program, providing unparalleled guidance and support from start to finish.

All our Mentors are qualified Medical Doctors and Registered Nurses who are employed full time on the program. Every aspect of your program experience will be guided by your Mentor and enhanced by their medical expertise and commitment to your learning.

Your Personalised Learning Experience

Your Mentor is there to ensure you have the strongest possible learning experience. At the commencement of the program on Orientation Day, you’ll have the opportunity to sit down in your small group with your dedicated Mentor to discuss your specific learning objectives and what you aim to get out of the program.

With your learning objectives in mind, your Mentor will tailor your experience to best suit your educational aims and targets. They will work to ensure that you are exposed to elements within the healthcare settings that align with your objectives and ensure you have the strongest possible learning experience.

This personalised approach guarantees that every moment of your program experience is meaningful and impactful; and ensures you will develop a deep and comprehensive understanding of healthcare delivery and the global health issues facing Tanzania.

Your Safety

Your safety is our priority and our system of mentoring is designed to ensure your safety at all times throughout the program. By having a dedicated Mentor providing supervision and guidance, we remove any risk of there being a potential conflict between student safety and clinical care.

For example, when you’re shadowing doctors in an operating theatre, your Mentor will be there to ensure you are wearing the correct PPE, positioned in the safest place and closely supervised at all times. You can fully immerse yourself in the learning experience knowing that your Mentor has your safety and wellbeing at the forefront of their mind.

Continuity Throughout The Learning Experience

Your Mentor provides continuity throughout the learning experience.

At every stage of the program – from the commencement on Orientation Day to each educational component – your Mentor will be by your side for the entire program. Across all healthcare settings, they will be your constant guide providing real-time explanation, guidance and support.

It is through this continuity that your Mentor will help you connect the dots; bridging theory and practice, and deepening your understanding of the challenges and complexities of healthcare delivery in different settings.

Mentoring in Hospital Shadowing

With a focus on your learning objectives, your Mentor will deliver a balanced shadowing experience that will see you observe and learn from experienced medical professionals across a variety of settings throughout the hospital. When undertaking your hospital shadowing component, your Mentor will ensure you are strategically placed to experience first-hand healthcare delivery.

As doctors interact with patients, conduct rounds or perform surgeries, your Mentor will be next to you, explaining every step, case, and procedure in real-time. Guided by your Mentor, you will have the invaluable opportunity of being on the frontline of clinical care in a real world setting while simultaneously benefiting from teaching and explanation.

Mentoring in Traditional Medicine

As you journey to a remote tribal village and learn about traditional medicine practices, the role of your Mentor is invaluable.

Your Mentor will enrich your learning experience by fostering an environment of open dialogue with the traditional healer. They’ll encourage you to ask questions, discuss traditional practices and explore the complexities of healthcare delivery with a focus on traditional medicine practices.

Your Mentor’s expertise and commitment to your learning will not only enhance your understanding of traditional medicine practices, but the continuity of their guidance and explanation will provide a link to a broader perspective of healthcare in Tanzania.

Mentoring in Volunteering

As you engage in a volunteering project at a community health centre, your Mentor plays a pivotal role in deepening your understanding of healthcare delivery in a community setting.

Your Mentor will supervise your project, and as you will be working with staff at all levels involved in running the health centre, your Mentor will also support you to ensure effective communication and understanding between the health centre staff and your small group.

Through their continued support and expertise, they will provide explanations of the essential aspects of community healthcare and highlight the direct impact of your volunteer work in the centre; allowing you to see firsthand how your involvement contributes to making a positive impact on the wider community.

Improving Access to Healthcare

Just as your program fee enables us to employ our dedicated Mentors, your participation in this program also directly helps to improve access to healthcare for the local community. All those that play a crucial role in your learning experience, including the hospitals, health centres, doctors, nurses and communities are paid directly from your program fee.