Higher Education in Flanders

The postgraduate in Tropical Medicine and International Health

Two modules:

PROGRAMME Module 1

The entire module is structured along the following 7 thematic blocks:

The thematic blocks are preceded by a 3-week introduction during which students are taught basic concepts and methods in public health, epidemiology and statistics, socio-anthropology and international health policy.

The first three thematic blocks take a specific health problem(s) as an entry point for the discussion of important international health issues, while the subsequent four blocks address the provision of health care for specific social groups, hence offering another challenging opportunity to integrate the perspectives of different disciplines.

The concepts and methods introduced during the first 3 weeks all find wide application within these blocks. Disciplines taught include: biomedical and clinical sciences, epidemiology, statistics, disease control, social sciences, public health and international health policy. Module 1 also helps students to develop basic skills in appreciating laboratory results, critical reading of scientific publications and applying basic statistical and epidemiological concepts and methods. Several assignments, organised as individual or coached group work, will challenge participants to integrate the acquired knowledge and skills. All study units, i.e. the three-week introduction, the 7 thematic blocks and assignments, are compulsory.

Module 1 is accredited as a Core Course for the tropEd Masters in International Health programme.

Programme Module 2 (MD) 

The following subjects are taught through interactive lectures, case discussions and group work and practical exercises:

• descriptive pathology of tropical diseases in adults and children 
• laboratory skills training focusing on tropical diseases and diagnostic tests available in low-resource settings
• clinical decision-making
• dermatology, ophthalmology, micronutrient deficiencies

Programme Module 2 (Biomed/Pharm)

• Problem-based cases on tropical diseases and laboratory management
• Lectures on capita selecta -Laboratory skills training

The postgraduate in Tropical Medicine and International Health,

provides health professionals with a broad and interdisciplinary training. It combines clinical and biomedical knowledge and skills on tropical diseases with a systemic approach to health care organisation and disease control. The broad perspective of international health policy and specific inputs from social sciences will help students grasp the complex picture of health and health care in low-resource settings. The integration of these different disciplines is a key feature of the programme.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

MODULE 1 : Introduction to International Health

This first module offers a theoretical evidence-basis and a basic set of conceptual frameworks, models and tools

At the end of the module students should be able to

MODULE 2 Clinical and biomedical sciences of tropical diseases (for medical doctors)

At the end of the module students should be able to

• analyse the biomedical, clinical and epidemiological features of tropical diseases and micronutrient deficiencies in children and adults;
• perform basic laboratory tests and interpret their results
• suggest the most appropriate differential diagnosis, diagnosis and adequate management for tropical diseases through the analysis of the clinical picture taking into account the epidemiological context and interpreting clinical signs, results of laboratory and technical examinations based on their respective diagnostic value

MODULE 2 Clinical and biomedical sciences of tropical diseases (for biomedical scientists and phamacologists)

 At the end of the module students should be able to

• describe the natural history of tropical diseases
• confer with clinicians on clinical cases
• manage a district laboratory in a low-resource setting

• Tropische geneeskunde
• Tropische medische biologie

• Tropische geneeskunde
• Tropische medische biologie

• Tropische geneeskunde
• Tropische medische biologie