The Classroom in the Field (CIF) Program in the
Philippines – Transforming international public health
education through cross cultural learning
Giselle Manalo |Jo Lander
Sydney School of Public Health
SYDNEY MEDICAL SCHOOL
What?
› Offers selected students 8 week field placements with partner
organisations in the Philippines
› Aim: To provide students with a contextual understanding of “on the
ground” approaches to international health issues… provide insight into
community-based educational programmes and community mobilization,
the complexities of the Philippine health system and the implementation of
health programmes at the national, regional, municipal, city and village
levels.
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Why?
› Socially accountable
› Culturally sensitive
› Transformative (and perhaps life-changing)
› Community engaged
› Authentic, work-embedded
› Health systems - based
› Partnerships
› Transcends the confines of the classroom
(Frenk et al, 2010: Health professionals for new century: transforming education to strengthen health
systems in an interdependent world. Lancet 376: December 4 pp 1923 – 1958)
Who?
› Genuine collaboration between SPH/ SMS and distinguished Philippine
partners:
- Health Human Resource Development Bureau of the Department of Health,
- University of the Philippines Manila,
- Zuellig Family Foundation
- United Nations Population Fund Philippines.
› Planning 2010 – 2012
› Partnerships formalised with letters of intent – late 2012
› 2013 – first cohort: 5 students, 3 of these self-funded
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Learning
› Embedded in 5 MIPH units of study – communicable disease; maternal
and child health; culture, health, illness and medicine; health systems in
developing countries or independent study –
› Unit chosen influences placement and topic
› Assessment: report and presentation
› Topics: context of host organisation/ relevant to host organisation/ host
develops learning activities and may provide training e.g. leadership /
useful recommendations expected
› Independent but well supported
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Pre-departure
› Program described in dedicated
LMS site, information session(s)
held
› Selection on academic merit and
interview (esp cultural competence
– scenarios suggested by partners)
+ matching to organisations
› Pre-departure orientation session
and information pack – local
Filipino mentors
Pre-departure briefing
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On arrival in the Philippines
› Philippines-based mentors –
mostly alumni
› Orientation sessions with local
supervisors
› Tailored program of learning
activities with host organisations –
National Health Agenda
› Final presentations / closing
program - Manila
Giselle with in-country mentors
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Briefings from partners
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Even from some not directly involved in the program ...
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Closing ceremony
› "You (MIPH students) are inspiring.
You do not know your impact and
may not see your impact until later,
but you have made an impact." Dr
Ruth Politico, Health Human
Resources Development Bureau,
Department of Health, Philippines
› “It was without doubt one of the
most impressive things I have
experienced in my career in public
health.” Professor Glenn Salkeld,
Head of School
Closing ceremony
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Back in Sydney...
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A few days later in the small town of Argao Cebu ...
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The future ...
› “While watching and listening to your presentations, we (at ZFF) are
already thinking of new approaches on how to improve your learning
experience with us. Just as you have learnt from us (and other partners),
we, too, have learned a lot from you!” Dr Bien Nillos, supervisor,Zuellig
Family Foundation
› 2015 Australian Government International Student Mobility Program
Funding – 10 places – Timor Leste, Philippines, Vietnam (Office of Global
Health)
› 2014-5 recruitment started
› Students from Grad Dip Indigenous Health Promotion
› Expand program further
› More comprehensive evaluation and publication
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Crowd sourcing ...
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Questions?
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