CULTURA E SALUTE: PHYSICIAN OBSERVATION IN Florence

BY ALLYSON COUSINO, HONORS ADVISOR

DURING THE SPRING 2022 semester, 18 Honors students took IDH 4930 Italian Comparative Health Care, taught by Dr. Janna Merrick. Throughout the course, students gained an understanding of the history of health care in the United States and in Italy, learned of common practices in patient care, and gained cultural and linguistic skills to prepare them for a 4-week study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. In Florence, students put their academic knowledge into practice as they observed surgeries in five hospital and clinical settings throughout the city.

In addition to surgical observations, students travelled as a group to Rome where they met with the Secretary of State of the Holy See in the private quarters of the Papal Palace, and visit St. Peter’s Basilica to tour the Vatican Museums. Students went on a tour near the Roman Forum and are pictured above with a Swiss Guard in Vatican City.

Students had the opportunity to learn directly from worldrenowned surgeons and experienced both public and private hospital settings. Students observed a variety of surgical procedures directly in the operating room, ranging from pediatric neuro surgery, hysterectomies, eye surgeries, tumor removals, and cesarean deliveries. In total, students observed 97 unique surgeries throughout their time in Florence.

The opportunity to learn about the Italian health care system ahead of the trip, combined with in-depth observation and learning, allows students to understand the cultural factors influencing perceptions of health, as well as make comparisons about health care systems as a whole.