Sites: Galle, Sri Lanka
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Location: Galle, Sri Lanka Facility: Teaching Hospital at Karapitiya Academic Affiliation: Ruhuna University Faculty of Medicine Site Preceptor: P.L. Ariyananda, MD, Professor, Ruhuna Faculty of Medicine |
Background: Duke University School of Medicine and Ruhuna University Faculty of Medicine forged a research and education collaboration in early 2006. This collaboration has encompassed epidemiologic and clinical research in Sri Lanka, and the option for Duke residents and medical students to undertake clinical electives at the Ruhuna-affiliated tertiary care teaching hospital. The Faculty of Medicine and teaching hospital are located in Galle, a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka renowned for its beaches and history. Galle was severely affected by the 2004 tsunami disaster. The Duke-Ruhuna collaboration was initially facilitated by the generous support of the Duke Tsunami Relief Fund. |
Clinical Opportunities: The 1,400-bed Teaching Hospital at Karapitiya serves as the leading tertiary care facility for southwestern Sri Lanka. Annual admissions approach 120,000 with an average length of stay of 4 days. Duke trainees can undertake clinical electives in medicine, community and family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, ENT, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, urology, psychiatry, critical care, or emergency medicine. Trainees are also encouraged to partake in Ruhuna University's community health projects. |
Research: Three collaborative research projects funded by the Duke Tsunami Relief Fund have been completed by investigators at Duke and Ruhuna. The projects include a study of in- and outpatient febrile illness at Ruhuna teaching hospital, a community survey of adolescent reproductive health and behaviors in the Galle District, and an epidemiological study of hospital admissions before and after the tsunami. Duke trainees may participate in small ongoing research projects or they may start their own. Research connections must be established well in advance to allow time for IRB submission. |
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Notes from Sri Lanka - 2006 By Krupal Shah |
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