Upload
marsha-nicholson
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Health, Safety & Risk Issues inStudy Abroad 2009
Department of Safety & Risk ManagementMinette Ellis, Director
PurposeOffice of
International Affairs has requested the Dept. of Safety & Risk Management provide an annual update of safety issues and risk factors before going abroad to enhance preparedness of the Program Directors.
TrendsAcademic study
abroad experience enhances the education.
Increase in global awareness and international relations.
GSU Study Abroad Destinations
EmergenciesMinor: pick-
pocketing petty theft, illness, injury, language & communication barriers
Major: natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes or acts of terrorism
What is a Medical Emergency?Any Hospitalization- no
matter how briefRape or sexual assaultSevere food poisoningSevere allergic reactionAny mental health issueAny incident involving
injuries or potential injuries
Responding to Medical EmergenciesSeek appropriate medical care.Call Worldwide Assistance if needed.Notify GSU Crisis Committee per the Study
Abroad Crisis Prevention policy guidelines.Protect students’ right to medical privacy.
Share only necessary details with individuals on a need to know basis.
Non- Emergency Medical Care
Students should be prepared to pay for the cost of the treatment. Upon return to the US, they should submit receipts and seek reimbursement by filing a claim.
Medical & Accident InsuranceMandatory Study
Abroad Insurance is included in the cost of the program
Prior to leaving, program directors should communicate to students how medical costs abroad will be paid when services are rendered
Medical & Accident InsuranceEvacuation* (for
medical emergencies-does not include terrorism);
Repatriation* of remains;
Accident and Life insurance
Worldwide Travel assistance to help with emergencies
1-800 number to verify insurance
Protests/Civil Unrest (France 2006)Armed Conflict (Israel/Lebanon
2006)Foiled Terrorist Plot (London ‘06)Military Coup (Bangkok 2006)Widespread Riots (Budapest 2006)Protests/Civil Unrest (Bangladesh
2006)Earthquake (Peru ‘07)Terrorist Bombing (London 2007)Hurricanes (Dean/ Mexico ‘07)Anything “newsworthy” regardless
of its effect on students or programs
What is a General Emergency?
Crisis Planning & PreparednessMake sure everyone –staff & students are
safe and secureMinimize anxiety for the studentsProgram Directors should be prepared to
operate independently if cutoff from US based communication
Contact or respond to directions of local authorities
Follow the GSU Crisis Prevention Policy for Study Abroad Programs
Emergency PreparednessInstruct all students to
review Crisis Management Policy of the Study Abroad Program
Designate a primary and secondary place to meet
Agree on when, where & how to meet
Designate a student leader in case the faculty become incapacitated or unavailable
Health & Safety
World Health Problems are tracked by the CDC and WHO
www.cdc.govwww.who.int Dysentery,
cholera, HIV, HBV are health concerns
#1 Travelers Health Warning…Caused by viruses,
bacteria & parasites that contaminate food or water
Wash hands frequently or use cleansing gel
Yellow Fever Mosquito-borne disease
Vaccination required to enter certain countries
Prevalent in Panama,Central America & Ghana
Malaria can also be contracted in Mexico
Wear long sleeve clothing for protection
Yellow FeverAs of 3/17/09, Yellow
Fever Outbreak in the southern part of Brazil
Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended by CDC
Recommended repellants containing 30-50% DEET for adults
MeningitisAs of 3/17/09, in the NE
states of India (Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram) 230 deaths & 2000 ill from Meningitis & Nigeria
Bacterial infection that causes symptoms of high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea
Meningococcal vaccine should be taken 7-10 days before traveling
Avian Flu “Bird Flu”At this time, WHO
recommends that travelers to countries experiencing outbreaks of this disease in poultry should avoid areas with live poultry, such as live animal markets and poultry farms
As of 3/11/09, Human cases of Bird Flu detected in China, Egypt, Indonesia , Vietnam due to being in contact with ill birds
Health & SafetyStudents should be informed on sexually
transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and HIV
For pre-existing medical conditions-the student’s medical doctor should assist in this planning stage or provide some recommendations
Program Director should have protocol for pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
Laws for Alcohol ConsumptionDrinking age in the
host countryIf drinking-do it in
moderationProgram Directors
should advise students “they are subject to the laws of the host country”
South Korea
AGE 18Argentina
SlovacBarbados RepublicBermuda
South AfricaBritish
UKChile
UruguayCzech Republic
Hong KongIndonesiaJamaicaIsrael LatviaMexico
MongoliaPhilippines
AntiguaAustriaBelgiumFrance
Germany*Greece*
ItalyNetherlands*
Norway*Poland
Spain*Turkey*
JapanIceland
New Zealand
ArmeniaAzerbaijan
ChinaNigeriaPoland
SovietGeorgiaThailandViet Nam
AGE 20
AGE 19
AGE 18
AGE 16
No Minimum Age
Effects of Reckless Behavior Makes you vulnerable to
street crimeAuto accidentsFalls from hotel balconiesDrowningFatalismPoor grades abroadSocial conflicts with peers
& authorities“Ugly American
Syndrome”
Drug AbuseLess common than alcohol abuse
Severity is greater as jail sentence can be imposed
Criminal ActsAvoid public demonstrations Be aware where it’s appropriate to take
picturesDo not take pictures of civil disturbances Consequence: Financial burden of legal representation is
the responsibility of the studentMistreatment in the jailsCourt held in language of the host countryUS Embassy can not get you released if
incarcerated
Don’t Become a Victim of CrimeThink about using a money beltStay in well lighted areasBeware of beggarsAvoid being alone at night in an isolated
areasKnow where the high crime areas areDon’t sleep in unlocked areasDo not go in public under the influence of
alcohol or drugs
Nutritional ChangesAdvise your students on the diet of the host country Advise changes may be necessary
Food and Drink Avoid salad, uncooked foods, fruits and foods you do not peel yourselfDo not accept food from StrangersDon’t drink Untreated waterAvoid raw seafood, rare meatsAvoid unpasteurized foods e.g. cheese and milkBeware of the food and water in the
aircraft as it may come from the departing country
Study Abroad Should be…Adventuresome
Informative
Fun
Emotional & Mental HealthPre-existing emotional conditions
may intensify by living in a foreign culture
“Culture Shock” can have a shattering effect on some students and cause “Anxiety”
Minimize Emotional ProblemsConduct one-on-
one counseling with students to establish positive motivation for studying
Be aware of the ten stages of anxiety of students
AnxietyTen Stages of AdjustmentInitial anxiety Initial elation Initial culture shockSuperficial adjustmentdepression-frustrationAcceptance of host cultureReturn anxietyReturn elationre-entry shockreintegration
Coping with Culture ShockMake students aware if
women should not appear flamboyant or aggressive in the host country
Appropriate inconspicuous dress
www.journeywoman.com
http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf
(Dining etiquette quiz)
If racial or religious differences exist within the culture-the students should be made aware
Students should participate in group activities
Non-verbal
communication know the gestures that are considered rude
Foreign Medical PracticeHealthcare standards will vary from
country to country around the world Students should be advised that they
should not expect the same practices as those in the U.S.
Ensure that specialized medications or prescriptions will be available when participating in longer study abroad programs
RELEVANT LEGAL ISSUES CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
Legal RelationshipsContractual Relationships exist simply by the
student being a member of the university and agreeing to abide by university rules.
In Loco Parentis exists if you have an underage student participating in your program; You, the Program Director, act in place of the parent.
Special Relationship exists as the Program Director for Study Abroad who oversees the students enrolled in this program.
Personal LiabilityGeorgia State provides a liability limit of
$1,000,000 for each employee if allegations are made regarding wrong doing while operating within the scope of your employment and services performed on behalf of the university.
Program directors are expected to respond to emergencies with reasonableness and good faith (Prudent Man Theory.)
Suits filed against the GSU Program Director while oversees will have representation provided by the State of Georgia
Tort LiabilityTort Liability
NegligenceNegligence
Standard Standard of Careof Care
Wanton, Wanton, Willful& Willful& IntentionalIntentional
Claims or Allegations are made when Program Directors act Negligent. Tort is a wrongful act or malfeasance against another.
Protect GSU from Potential LiabilityFERPA/HIPAA Protect students’ medical
privacyTitle IX Prohibition Against
Sex Discrimination Do not hold office hours in
your hotel room Avoid excessive alcohol
consumption with your students or while on duty
Forbid students of the opposite sex to share accommodations– even if consensual
The ADA and the Rehabilitation ActUnderstand that medical
conditions may qualify as disabilities
Be aware that the ADA (1990 and 2000) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
Follow the Rehabilitation Act (1973) that states no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in any federally funded program or activity.
Reducing Liability for you and the University
Disclose any known dangers regarding the trip. Advise or clarify if “warnings are issued in the native language”
Disclose disciplinary action to be taken for rule violation
Waivers and releases of liability should be apart of any agreement
Reducing Liability for you and the University
Where a contract exists, a choice-of-law clause should be included to ensure that, if a case if filed, it will be tried in our jurisdiction under our laws
Disclose all significant cultural differences between countries
Identify potential risks of host county from the US State Department website
Be sure that parents have signed for minors, if any.
GETTING READY TO STUDY ABROAD
Pre-departure Medical EvaluationsMedical evaluations
should be in advance of leaving
Blood type**Dental RecordsEKG’s/X-Ray’s (if
relevant to students medical situation)
Eyeglass/contact lens prescription(s)
Doctors statement about any relevant health problem
Medication prescriptions (written in generic terms)
What to Packsuggested Medicines Extra Syringes
(diabetics)Extra
Eyeglasses/lensesSmall first aid
kit/suppliesSun block \Anti-diarrhea
(Imodium)Anti-motion sickness
meds
Water purification tablets
Allergy medicine(s)Insect repellentMoisturizerCondiments of choiceAntibiotic ointmentHand washing gelAspirin/pain killerFeminine hygiene
products
MedicationPrescription meds
must be in the containers from the pharmacy in order to clear security in the airport and foreign countries
Practical Tips for Safe TravelingFrom: The Parents Guide to Study Abroad by William Hoffa; NAFSA; 1998Take only the cards that
will be used on the trip
Keep a list or copy of the cards, numbers & emergency replacement procedures
Make 3-lists of Travelers Checks (home, carry one & remote location w/ receipts)
Practical Tips: LuggageMark all
luggage inside & out
Enclose an itinerary in each bag
Keep a list of the contents for each bag
Don’t carry everything in one place! Never pack essential documents, medicine etc. in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry on bag.
Keep names and phone numbers of insurance companies in close proximity.
PassportCarry 2 extra
passport photos or 1 passport copy or1 copy of your
certified birth certificate or
1 expired passport
Practical Tips for Safe TravelingFrom: The Parents Guide to Study Abroad by William Hoffa; NAFSA; 1998
A lost passport should be reported to local police
Get written confirmation of the incident from the police
Go to the U.S. Consulate for an application
Ten Tips for Travel Under the New Security Rules
Arrive earlyHave proper id such
as driver’s licenses, passports, military id
Get your ticket on boarding pass before you arrive* (procedures are changing)
Avoid using the Ticket Counter if you have nothing to check
Make sure carryon bags have been cleaned out –no unacceptable items should be left in them
Any questions about the content.
Please contact Minette Ellis413-9548
* Special thanks to Calif Polytechnical State University