Important Travel Info

IMPORTANT TRAVEL (School of Medicine)

INFORMATION

FOR

STUDENTS

On this page medical students will find the School of Medicine policy guidelines for travel and medical indemnity for external clinical placements in Australia and overseas. Students will also find plenty of other helpful information here – whether travelling for the MBBS (e.g. on 1st or 4th Year Electives or on 3rd /4th Year Exchanges) or for personal purposes. As part of the UQ Medical Program, students may embark on clinical experiences beyond the context of Brisbane – to elsewhere in Australia and overseas. For some students it is an exciting option, whether it is in a curricular or extra-curricular context. While the SOM encourages students to seek as many diverse clinical placements, for any local or overseas travel, personal safety is paramount and legal issues always remain a high priority. Click on the links below to and be sure to cover these bases and give yourself the best chance of fun, interesting and safe travel.

Important Travel Information for Students (SOM) 1. 

Electives (Years 1 & 4) and Exchange (Years 3 & 4 Rotations) ............................................... 2 

2. 

Costs .............................................................................................................................................. 2 

3. 

Overseas Travel Policy of the University of Queensland School of Medicine ......................... 2 

4. 

Smart Travel: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) ...................................... 3 

5. 

Travel Insurance ........................................................................................................................... 3 

6. 

Medical Indemnity Insurance ....................................................................................................... 4 

7. 

Visas and work permits ................................................................................................................ 4 

8. 

Permits to enter Aboriginal land .................................................................................................. 4 

9. 

Travelling with pharmaceuticals (for self or medical aid): LEGAL ISSUES ............................. 5 

10. 

Personal Health: Immunisations and Travel Medicine .............................................................. 5 

11. 

UQ Health Services ...................................................................................................................... 6 

12. 

Letter of Good Standing ............................................................................................................... 6 

13. 

Documentation .............................................................................................................................. 7 

14. 

Be prepared: do some homework! .............................................................................................. 7 

15. 

Look after yourself on placement: Physically and Mentally ....................................................... 7 

16. 

Getting help once you’ve come back .......................................................................................... 8 

17. 

Emergency contact details ........................................................................................................... 8 

Page 1 of 8

1.

Electives (Years 1 & 4) and Exchange (Years 3 & 4 Rotations)

The Clinical Electives program (Years 1 and 4) was built into the UQ Medical Program over 15 years ago. It is a valuable opportunity for students, at an early stage of medicine, to gain a broader perspective of the world, with minimal structural restrictions imposed. Various Year 3 and 4 international Exchange opportunities are a further option to expand students’ horizons. As a medical student, such experiences may have a lasting impact on your approach to career and in life. Good and bad experiences will shape your outlook. It’s important to address the following items to give yourself the best chances of a safe and enjoyable adventure… Good luck!

2.

Costs

Students are responsible for all costs of travel, accommodation and living expenses on all curricular and extra-curricular clinical placements

3.

Overseas Travel Policy of the University of Queensland School of Medicine

The University of Queensland takes its 'Duty of Care' responsibilities very seriously. In line with the University’s Insurance Office, the School of Medicine adopts the following policy: As part of their request for approval to travel, staff and students are required to refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website at www.smartraveller.gov.au/zwcgi/view/Advice/ to ascertain whether any warning levels exist for any country they intend to visit, either on business, stopover or as part of the private time coverage under the policy. 9

If either of the two highest warning levels is in effect at any time prior to departure, travellers are required to seek additional approval to depart from the Deputy ViceChancellor (International and Development).

9

If, after departure, the DFAT warning level changes to the highest level of 'Do Not Travel', students are to contact AIG Assist (for Students) on the emergency number to discuss whether they should evacuate the country. It is recognised it may be difficult in remote areas to obtain internet connection. However if a traveller fears for their safety, for example as a result of civil unrest, they should immediately contact AIG Assist for guidance.

In addition to the above, the Staff and Student Travel Policies currently specifically exclude travel to the following countries: 8 Iraq 8 Afghanistan 8 North Korea 8 Somalia 8 Chechnya

Page 2 of 8

4.

Smart Travel: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) maintains a Smart Traveller website, available at www.smartraveller.gov.au. 9 The website has lots of up-to-date, useful information, including about safety (civil and environmental) for all countries on the travel advisories. To be a smart traveller, before heading overseas you are advised to: 9 Organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities (e.g. ill-health, lost baggage, flight cancellation) are or are not covered by your policy 9 Register your travel and contact details at www.orao.dfat.gov.au, so DFAT can contact you in an emergency 9 Subscribe to the DFAT travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued. Go to www.smartraveller.gov.au/accounts

5.

Travel Insurance

All enrolled University of Queensland students are covered by the University's Travel Insurance policy for University-related travel purposes. This UQ policy applies to students who choose to go overseas for their placement, such as 1st or 4th Year Electives and exchanges in 3rd and 4th year rotations. 9 This policy will cover you for 5 days of personal travel, either side of your official SOM placement. 9 Students may also want to consider taking out their own travel insurance It is the student’s responsibility to arrange an extension of travel insurance cover if you wish to travel BEFORE or AFTER your placement. 9 “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” (Boring but true.) Check out DFAT recommendations about travel insurance at: www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel_insurance.html If you do need to extend your travel insurance policy, you have two options: 9 Extend your existing policy with the UQ Finance and Business Service Division (at the expense of the student; details below) or 9 Seek personal travel cover through, for example, your travel agent (at the expense of the student). As with all insurance documents, you will need to refer to the Certificate of Insurance for particulars pertaining to the coverage. 9 More information is available through the Insurance office website through the UQ Finance and Business Service Division (www.fbs.uq.edu.au) > Home > Sections and Services > Insurance) www.fbs.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=78403&pid=0

Page 3 of 8

6.

Medical Indemnity Insurance

All enrolled medical students at the University of Queensland are protected by the University’s Medical Indemnity Insurance while they are on approved Elective placements, Exchanges and other curriculum-based clinical settings 9 The Medical Indemnity policy is arranged through the Insurance Office, as part of the UQ Finance and Business Service Division (www.fbs.uq.edu.au) > Home > Sections and Services > Insurance) www.fbs.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=78403&pid=0 There can be NO EXTENSION of the Medical Indemnity policy once the student’s curriculum placement requirements have been completed 9 Email the insurance manager at [email protected] if you have any queries 9 The insurance certificate can be emailed to you on request through [email protected] 9 Students may also want to ensure they are a member of one of the medical defence associations. If organising a non-curriculum based placement, students MUST organise their OWN medical indemnity insurance policy. 9 This process requires membership with a medical indemnity association and a specific, personal policy to be drawn up and agreed to by the student and the chosen association, prior to the placement. 9 Students are warned that the process can take several weeks.

7.

Visas and work permits

Entry visa requirements depend on individual passport status, citizenship and agreements between international governments. 9 Obtain your visa prior to departure. 9 Visit the visa page on the DFAT website – general information for all people, and specific information for Australian citizens www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.html

8.

Permits to enter Aboriginal land

As a mark of respect, it is advisable to obtain permission to enter an aboriginal community / site even if the site does not require written permission. Like other landowners in Australia, Aboriginal people have the legal right to grant or refuse permission to people wishing to enter or travel through their land and you may be fined if you enter without obtaining one. 9 The Central Lands Council of the Northern Territory outlines the permit process and its features well: www.clc.org.au/permits/permits.asp or email queries to [email protected] 9 The Northern Lands Council of the Northern Territory has a helpful page on Permits. www.nlc.org.au/html/visit_menu.html 9 The Aboriginal Tourism Australia “Short Guide for Visitors to Remote Indigenous Communities” (9 pages) has a helpful list of contacts for further information www.wettropics.gov.au/pdf/ata.pdf

Page 4 of 8

9.

Travelling with pharmaceuticals (for self or medical aid): LEGAL ISSUES

If you're planning a trip overseas, organising your medicine is one of the most important things you can do. If you take a prescription medicine regularly, it's important that you take this medicine with you so that you remain in good health while you're away. Unless the medicine is for your use, or the use of someone travelling with you, taking or sending medicine overseas that has been subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is illegal. Illegally taking or sending PBS medicine out of the country may result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or two years imprisonment. Before taking or sending PBS medicine overseas you should: 9 Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there 9 Carry or enclose with the medicine a letter from your doctor, detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking or sending, and stating that it's for your personal use 9 Leave the medicine in its original packaging so it is clearly labelled with your name and dosage. 9 Take a current prescription with you as a back up More information 9 Medicare website: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/travelling/medicines.jsp 9 Sending PBS medicine out of the country may be illegal (PDF 43Kb) at the link: www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/consmagsend.pdf 9 Taking PBS medicine out of the country may be illegal (PDF 43Kb) at the link www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/consmagtake.pdf

10. Personal Health: Immunisations and Travel Medicine Immunisations 9 Students must ensure they have all necessary immunisation and are able to provide proof of immunisation, if requested, to the hospital they are to attend. 9 Some immunisations may need to be administered up to 2 months prior to departure For any international travel, it is wise to make an appointment with a Travel Doctor: 9 It’s helpful to have the appointment at least 8 weeks prior to departure if possible but don’t worry if it’s within 8 weeks of leaving, it’s never too late Some websites will be very helpful for you 9 The Travel Doctor is a leading internet authority on travel medicine. Do yourself a favour and check it out at www.thetraveldoctor.com.au – before you leave (and keep it in mind while you’re away) 9 Traveller’s Medical and Vaccination Centre (TMVC) promotes safe and healthy travel, through up-to-date international health advice and medical services to those intending to travel. It’s online at www.tmvc.com.au

Page 5 of 8

11. UQ Health Services UQ Health Services (www.uq.edu.au/healthservice) offer general medical services and may be able to assist with information on travel medicine. Health services are available at the St Lucia and at Ipswich campuses. Details for each campus are provided below. For both services: 9 Appointments are required to see a doctor 9 The standard consultation time is 10 minutes. If you require a longer appointment, please inform the reception staff at the time of booking. 9 No appointment is required to see a registered nurse St Lucia Campus: 9 Practice Hours (by appointment) Monday - Friday 8.15 am – 5.00 pm 9 UQ St Lucia Health Service contact details • Phone: 3365 6210 • Fax: 3365 6222 • Location: Level 1, Gordon Greenwood Building (Blg 32): Click on this Map • Email: [email protected] Ipswich Campus: 9 Practice Hours (by appointment) Monday - Friday 8.15 - 5.00 (last appointment 4.30pm) 9 UQ Ipswich Health Service contact details • Phone: 3381 1210 • Location: Lower Level, Building No 8. • Fax: 3381 1205 • Email: [email protected]

12. Letter of Good Standing Upon request, the School of Medicine will supply a Letter of Good Standing. Please note that there are two (2) versions available, depending on the context: a) Approved curriculum-based placements: 9 Letter will endorse the student’s good standing and 9 State that the placement (i.e. Elective; Exchange) is authorised and 9 State that the placement is insured. b) Extracurricular placements: 9 Letter will endorse the student’s good standing but 9 State that the placement is NOT authorised /approved by the SOM and 9 State the placement is NOT covered by indemnity. Students seeking a Letter of Good Standing should send an email, as applicable, to: 9 Year 1: email Vanessa Cooper at [email protected] 9 Year 2: email Karen Taylor at [email protected] 9 Years 3 and 4: email [email protected]

Page 6 of 8

13. Documentation It’s a good idea to make copies of key documents, such as passport, insurance policy, air tickets, itinerary, credit card details and medications list 9 Carry copies with you and store them in a separate place to the originals 9 Email scanned copies to yourself (have photocopies too in case of limited internet access) 9 Give copies to a reliable friend or family member at home – especially the itinerary and keep regular contact Let the bank know if you’re going overseas (especially if you don’t travel regularly). 9 Banks monitor spending activity and, in the pursuit of account security and risk management may cancel your card if suspicious activity is detected (i.e. you spending your own money in an unusual location for that account) 9 Therefore, let your bank know of your travel plans to avoid potential confusion or disruption to your travels

14. Be prepared: do some homework! To have a well-rounded and great time away, the best advice is to find out about where you’re going to, before you leave: politics, culture, religion, history, tourism, geography, etc. 9 In particular, be aware of local customs – both for men and women

15. Look after yourself on placement: Physically and Mentally Physically: 9 Always practise the universal precautions. 9 In case of needlestick injuries, follow normal protocol and wash the area immediately for 5 minutes, purge the injury site and report the incident to your supervisor. Consider packing an emergency HIV/AIDS prophylactic kit to minimise potential risk. 9 Be immunised against infectious diseases, especially those which are prevalent in your placement community 9 Maintain good fitness 9 Beware of the quality of drinking water (including ice cubes and washed foods e.g. salads) 9 Beware of food safety standards 9 Always look out for your personal safety and avoid dangerous social situations 9 Avoid dangerous motor vehicle situations – e.g. vehicles without seatbelts 9 Beware of gender-related safety issues 9 Where possible travel with a companion for a safer and more fun experience Mentally: You may experience a range of clinical and personal scenarios, which may range from amazing to abhorrent. 9 Everyone will be affected in some way by good and bad scenarios – that’s perfectly normal 9 It’s important to have someone you can confide in and debrief with, or another outlet for emotional or wearing experiences. You are strongly encouraged to seek help. The form that “help” may take will vary for each individual and for the specific context.

Page 7 of 8

16. Getting help once you’ve come back You may wish to speak to someone after you get back. The University of Queensland offers a counselling service that is free-of-charge for enrolled students. 9 Go to www.uq.edu.au/student-services/index.html?page=1194 for more information for the confidential service they offer at all University of Queensland campuses. To make an appointment (Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm): 9 St Lucia: Phone (07) 3365 1704 9 Ipswich: Phone (07) 3381 1011 EMERGENCY (After Hours): 1800 800 123

17. Emergency contact details Feel free to contact the people below at any stage, but especially if any problems arise while you’re away. Year 1 on Elective: Professor John Pearn, (Head of Electives) 9 Email: [email protected] (please contact via phone in the first instance) 9 Phone (07) 3365 5454 Year 4 on Elective: Associate Professor Kevin Forbes (Head of Years 3 & 4) 9 Email only: [email protected] Years 1 and 4 on Elective: Renee de Simone (Electives Coordinator) 9 Email: [email protected] 9 Phone: (07) 3346 4885 DFAT 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre: 9 Phone +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555135 (local call cost within Australia) 9 The DFAT Smart Traveller Website: www.smartraveller.gov.au Emergency Counselling Services (through University of Queensland Counselling Service) 9 Emergency: (After Hours) 1800 800 123 9 www.uq.edu.au/student-services/index.html?page=1194

Page 8 of 8