The new graduate certification at Northeastern University USA trains professionals to work in the diverse and critical field of extreme medicine. Photograph supplied courtesy of World Extreme Medicine / If Media.
Leading UK medic training organisation goes Stateside
A world-leading medic training organisation is taking UK skills to the US to launch a pioneering graduate qualification in Extreme Medicine
World Extreme Medicine (WEM), a world-leading UK-based training organisation for medics, is ‘exporting’ valuable skills stateside to support the launch of a new graduate qualification at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
WEM teams have previously helped to provide support for people in Ukraine. To date, the organisation has provided more than one million pounds of medical training and life-saving supplies to the war torn country. The organisation set up Medics4Ukraine as a response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
The graduate Certificate in Extreme Medicine at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences is designed for an array of professionals with an interest in the ‘diverse and critical field’ of extreme medicine.
Organisers say the programme aims to develop core competence in such areas as ‘crisis resource management, human factors in austere environments and the efficiency of highly skilled teams, as well as the theory and ethics of care in humanitarian crises.’
‘Having successfully launched the world’s first postgraduate course in extreme medicine in partnership with the University of Exeter in 2016, we’re now delighted to take the concept across the pond,’ says Mark Hannaford, Founder of World Extreme Medicine.
‘It opens up many more possibilities in career opportunities, from film location work to remote research and disaster response.’
The certification is relevant to a wide range of healthcare and public health professionals including doctors, nurses, paramedics, physician assistants, dentists, psychologists, and physical therapists.
Exploring austere and expedition medicine
The educational programme has optional experiential courses that explore the boundaries of austere and expedition medicine in partnership with World Extreme Medicine.
These intensive modules include practical courses covering Cold Weather and Expedition Medicine, Wilderness and Expedition Medicine and Humanitarian Medicine.
It also focuses on Human Factors and Situational Awareness together with Tactical Operations, which is also open to law enforcement professionals.
‘This new graduate qualification is for medical professionals who want to push the boundaries of their career and explore the challenges of practising in some of the most extreme and challenging environments on the planet,’ says Stephen Wood, Programme Director at Northeastern.
‘The core didactic program is augmented by several electives; we are excited to deliver these modules and this pioneering program in partnership with World Extreme Medicine.’
Applicants for the graduate certificate should hold a Baccalaureate degree or equivalent, preferably in a healthcare-related or similar field.