Fellows and Scholars Directory

Whitaker International Fellow, 2009

Name: Yujie Wang

Home Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Host Country, Institution: Chile, Universidad de Valparaiso

Project Title: Analysis of the adherence of clinical practice to official guidelines in patients with ischemic stroke: the role of diagnostic health technology in secondary prevention in a public hospital in Chile

Project Abstract:

Acute ischemic stroke in adults was added to the Explicit Guarantees in Health (GES) and Clinical Guidelines in Chile in 2007. The goal of the project is to evaluate the adherence of clinical practice to official guidelines in the usage of diagnostic health technologies in patients with acute ischemic stroke in a public hospital. This project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, the Neurology department at the Hospital del Salvador and the Biomedical Engineering department at the Universidad de Valparaiso.

While I Was There...:

I was surprised at how warm and welcoming everyone was. I was also surprised at how easy it was to meet with officials in the Ministry of Health and how open they were to collaboration.

How the project went...:

The project went well and a manuscript has been submitted to the Chilean medical journal (in Spanish) and is currently under review. Written recommendations were submitted to the Ministry of Health and changes will be incorporated in the upcoming policy-making session. Since my departure, another student has undertaken the project and is working to expand its scope.

How the Host Country Was...:

Chile is known as a country of contrasts, and I definitely experienced that during my 11 month stay. I lived in Valparaiso, a city about 60 miles west of Santiago, and spent half my time at the university in Valparaiso and the other half in Santiago (at the Ministry of Health and a public hospital). Valparaiso is a seaport, and has a rich heritage (it hosts one of Pablo Neruda's homes). The living standards in Chile are quite high, compared to neighboring countries in South America, however, it is still lower than that found in the USA. Chile is also a great place to travel, from the Atacama desert (the driest in the world) in the north to beautiful Patagonian forests and glaciers in the South.

Since i have been back...:

I have started my first year of medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Tips for Applicants:

Don't be afraid to go to a country that another fellow has not been to yet. However, do your research to make sure there will not be language barriers, or if there will be, that they will not negatively influence your project or experience. I went to Chile with a strong Spanish background (I was also a Spanish major in college), and it was definitely a necessity for my project. All meetings, written notes, manuscripts and interactions I had was in Spanish. When in country, take advantage of free time on the weekends to explore the country and meet some locals.