The Latin American School of Medicine (Elam): Admissions, Academics and Attitudes

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.13169/intejcubastud.9.1.0142
• Pages: 142-154
• Published date: 01 April 2017
• Date: 01 April 2017
• Author: Afra Jiwa
• Subject Matter: Cuba,ELAM,brain-gain,traditional and natural medicines,student brigades

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CUBAN STUDIES 9.1 SPRING 2017

ARTICLE

THE LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF

MEDICINE (ELAM): ADMISSIONS,

ACADEMICS AND ATTITUDES

Afra Jiwa

King’s College London

Abstract

With the Cuban health system hailed as one of the best in the world, its doctors have

a high reputation in the field of primary care in less-developed countries. This article

provides an insight into the Latin American School of Medicine (Escuela Latinoamericana

de Medicina (ELAM)) as a means of helping our understanding of the process involved

in creating a medical workforce that is suited to the developing world. The article

reviews the available peer-reviewed literature and evaluates additional media to make

an assessment of the curriculum and teaching and learning experience at ELAM. The

findings reveal an insightful way of selecting students from low-income backgrounds

and teaching that mimics curricula seen at medical schools in the UK, with the addition

of modules in homeopathic medicine and a focus on placements in primary care. The

article reveals some problems for students who have struggled to adapt their skills

to fit the healthcare systems in their home countries. Attitudes towards students are

generally positive, though there are a number of reports on student welfare issues.

The article concludes that the overwhelming impression is that students are happy to

compromise on small comforts in exchange for a subsidised medical education.

Keywords: Cuba, ELAM, brain-gain, traditional and natural medicines, student brigades

Introduction

Cuba’s health status has grown in the last few decades following the expansion

of their acclaimed medical schools, to welcome a growing number of