Hospitals in developing countries are short staffed and often have a high patient load, so students find themselves involved with treatment and patient care very quickly. Under resourced wards can also mean a return to the basics of radiography training, diagnosing conditions without adequate equipment. Digital software and equipment exists in a dream world for most of them, so manual interpretation is the only way to analyse the data.
Unfortunately cost, distance and a lack of education in resource-poor countries means patients regularly present with advanced tumours and neurological conditions that have advanced to a critical stage. The chance to witness and treat these conditions will undoubtedly teach you new skills and enhance your understanding of radiography.
Your placement
We work closely with you to determine what you want to get out of your elective, so that we can place you in the right setting.
If you are not sure what it is you want, don't worry. The Operations Manager assigned to your placement has visited each of the hospitals and clinics in that destination and knows them well. We have placed students keen to use a variety of equipment or who wanted to specialise in areas like oncology, as well as those who were more interested being part of smaller clinic team... whatever it is that appeals, we have options for you.
Frequently asked questionsNichola talks about life in Nepal
Looking for inspiration?
Download a selection of our recent radiography placements. These cover four elective options that may just inspire you when trying to decide on your destination...
Combine tango dancing with a placement in the Nuclear Medical Foundation specialist centre in Argentina; book a safari after working in a maternity care unit in Tanzania or arrange a trek in the Annapurnas when your day at the private teaching hospital in Nepal is over.
This list is not exhaustive, so please get in touch if you have something else in mind.
Jade Slipper's case study - read more hereI was excited to learn how to process films in a dark room, which I will never have the opportunity to do again, it reminded me how lucky we are to have CR and DR equipment, providing us with instant images.
Overall the experience was one I will never forget, I saw and did some amazing things and made amazing friends that made my trip the unforgettable experience it was... I only wish I would have stayed longer!
Our radiography elective programme
Gallery of the Work the World elective programmes
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The most common malignancy was Carcinoma of the Cervix, and disease that we’d think of as common such as prostate cancer was unheard of, mainly because the average life expectancy in Tanzania doesn’t allow patients to live long enough to develop it.
Kari Burton, University Campus Suffolk 2012
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The equipment was more modern than I expected, yet nowhere near as modern as in England. For me, the main difference between here and the UK was the patient care, moving and handling and hygiene.
Jade Slipper 2012
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The staff I worked with were incredibly knowledgeable and were more than happy to show me interesting cases, including some which were in the process of being submitted to academic journals.
Trish Hann, Portsmouth University 2011
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