Practicum Experience
Keely actively participated in the field tour. Keely was attentive during visits and routinely engaged in presentations, discussions and tour activities
- Associate Professor Neil Narris (Griffith University)
"
Vietnam Public Health Study Tour
As part of my studies in public health I was offered the opportunity to participate in a two-week study tour of Vietnam, with 100 hours of the tour contributing towards my practicum hours. The study tour was created to provide students with the opportunity to gain international first-hand experience in public health, to observe current public health initiatives in being implemented in Vietnam, and to meet with health professionals working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. I chose to participate in the study tour as it gave me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and understanding of public health in Vietnam, and to develop a more holistic approach to public health.
Overview of Organisation
The study tour was coordinated collaboratively by Associate Professor Neil Harris (Public Health Group, Griffith University) and the Vietnam Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health representative Dr Truong Le Van Ngoc formed an itinerary to provide Griffith students with the opportunity to observe many different aspects of public health in Vietnam, and to allow students to experience Vietnamese culture and way-of-life.
Learning Goals
Goal 1: Gain knowledge and understanding of Vietnam’s Public Health system
-
Objective 1a: Acquiring an understanding of Vietnam’s health system - national to local level
-
Objective 1b: Gain hands on experience with public health organisations, programs, and facilities in Vietnam
-
Objective 1c: Be exposed to and comprehend the proximal and distal determinants of health in Vietnam
Goal 2: Expand understanding of cultural diversity in an international context
-
Objective 2a: Learn basics of Vietnamese language and culture
-
Objective 2b: Visit cultural locations in Vietnam
-
Objective 2c: Understand society in Vietnam and its social patterns and issues
Goal 3: Practice and gain teamwork and communication skills to become an effective team member
-
Objective 3a: Use effective communication with the group
-
Objective 3b: Participate in team building activities
-
Objective 3c: Collaborate on making sure group goals are met (including post tour practicum requirements)
Leadership Qualities/Program Planning/Communication/Community Engagment
"
Activities Undertaken
-
Pre-tour briefing session - logistical and financial information, overview of the study tour, expectations
-
Classroom-based lectures and workshops - Vietnam Ministry of Health & Hanoi School of Public Health
-
Site visits:
-
Phu Tho District Health Centre
-
Commune Health Station of Cam Khue
-
Endocrinology Hospital of Lao Cai
-
Sapa District Health Centre
-
National Psychiatric Hospital
-
World Health Organization
-
National Heart Institute
-
National Institute of Nutrition
-
General Department of Preventative Medicine
-
-
Study Tour Reflective Presentation - group presentation by Griffith students to the Vietnam Ministry of Health
>>> Reflections
Below I have reflected upon the learning goals we developed as a group prior to the study tour. I have framed these in the 'STARL' format: situation, tasks, actions, result and learnings.
Goal 1: Gain knowledge and understanding of Vietnam’s Public Health system
As part of the study tour through Northern Vietnam we, as a group, had the opportunity to visit many different hospitals and healthcare facilities and listen to presentations by senior health professionals at each site. For each of these visits it was suggested that we take notes as we listened to the presentations to ensure that we made the most out of listening to experienced health professionals in Vietnam. Many of us found it difficult to maintain concentration during some of the presentations, and therefore found it difficult to absorb the information that was being presented. I made the decision to take detailed notes of each presentation based on the premise that I find it difficult to absorb large amount of information unless I am writing it down at the time it is being delivered. I found this method to be effective in ensuring that I was broadening my knowledge and understanding of the Vietnamese public health system, and retaining this information for future reference. Doing this has allowed me to achieve a more holistic understanding of public health, and to gain an international perspective on the challenges being faced in public health.
 The Adventure Begins! |  Vietnam Ministry of Health |  National Nutrition Institute |  Study Tour Group |  Ha Long Bay Cultural Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Commuting in Vietnam |  Vietnam Ministry of Health |  National Psychiatric Hospital |  National Lung Institute |  National Heart Institute |
 World Health Organization |  Ministry of Health Presentation |
Goal 2: Expand understanding of cultural diversity in an international context
During the middle of the first week of the study tour we all stopped at a little restaurant in Phu Tho Province for lunch. All members of the study tour including Neil, Mai, Hai, Thuy and Minh sat down to eat in one of the upper levels of the restaurant. As was the case with any stop-off we had on our tour, many of us needed to use the bathroom. We ventured into the back of the building, to a room overlooking a courtyard. It was here that we witnessed three young men brutally killing of a pig. I did not know how to react to this, feeling disgusted and somewhat traumatised by the situation. I felt that what was occurring was inhumane, yet felt that perhaps this was acceptable within the cultural context of Vietnam. It was confirmed by Thuy and Minh that this was quite a common occurrence, and that many of the Vietnamese people, particularly in rural areas slaughtered animals to provide for their family. I feel that this was quite a harsh way to gain an appreciation for how cultures can differ greatly in their practices and beliefs, however, I know that not all differences in culture present in such dramatic ways, with many differences being quite subtle. This understanding will help to prepare me for future work in public health involving different cultural groups, and assist in me being able to approach public health interventions targeting culturally diverse populations with greater knowledge and understanding.
Goal 3: Practice and gain teamwork and communication skills to become an effective team member
One of the requirements of the study tour was for us to present to the Ministry of Health our experience of public health in Hanoi and Northern Vietnam, and summarise elements of the tour that were beneficial to us as international students. All Griffith students were involved in creating and delivering the presentation, with tasks such as designing the PowerPoint and writing the speech, shared between the 14 of us. My role within the task was to work with my group to write a section of the presentation outlining the Vietnam Healthcare system, its challenges, and to summarise public health strategies that are currently being used. To achieve this task in the limited time we had been given, we had to work efficiently and effectively as a team. This required open communication and cooperation between group members, whilst ensuring that everyone was contributing to the task. All groups were able to successfully come together to deliver a high quality presentation to the Ministry of Health. I felt that we worked very well together considering the fact that we were quite a large group, with many of us having never worked together before. Working effectively as a team is essential within the field of public health, and I believe this presentation gave all of us the opportunity to experience working with different personalities, and working on a project specific to international public health, consequently developing skills in leadership, communication and problem-solving.