Mentorship Program at EsSalud
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The objectives for this activity were to learn database management with a large dataset, develop research questions pertinent to the dataset, conduct data analysis in SAS, and generate reports to present the outcomes of my analysis. A study I worked on included a tech use disorder study which involved sending surveys to students at the Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University in Lima in order to assess their use of technology. This study was conducted through the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. A second study I conducted analysis for was the delirium study assessing the risk factors of delirium among elderly hospitalized patients who were admitted to the geriatric unit at the Egardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital in Lima. The third study I worked on was the albuminuria study in a Lima cohort which had the aim to describe the prevalence of albuminuria, a condition associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The competencies I gained through this activity included being able to identify data from existing local, national or international sources, use SAS to analyze data, and interpret data to make appropriate inferences and recognize the public health implications of the results.
National Assessment of IRB Committees of EsSalud
The objectives of my second practicum activity were to become familiar with the network of ethics committees of EsSalud, Peru's social security health care system, and assist with the study of the system. As part of this activity, I developed documents to learn about and help preserve the work of the Institute of Evaluation and Technology in Health and Research (IETSI), an organ operating independently of EsSalud. The aim of the IETSI is to provide scientific evidence for the optimal use of health resources. Additionally, I created an inventory of the existing documents that could serve as guidance in the optimal use of health resources. The competency I gained through this activity was being able to explain how professional ethics and practices relate to equity and accountability in diverse community settings.
Understanding INCAAS functions
The objectives for my third practicum activity, also my overall main goals for the practicum experience, were to learn about the functions of and impact INCAAS has on global health and the research community in Peru. In order to do this, I attended regular meetings while in Lima with INCAAS leader and partners. I learned that collaborating and networking with governmental entities, as well as non-governmental agencies, is an important part of managing a non-governmental global health organization. I learned about the logistics of collaborating with other organizations both in Peru and globally. The competency I gained through this experience was being able to work collaboratively in a culturally sensitive manner with INCAAS partners to promote the health of communities and individuals.
