ACAIM has been greatly impacted by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed over a million lives and sickened many, many more. We have cared for innumerable critically ill individuals with COVID-19, and have found our professional and personal lives greatly changed by the ongoing crisis. We have learned that even the most robust health systems can quickly become overwhelmed when need outstrips resources. The pandemic has also exposed fissures in society within the United States and abroad. There has been a significant toll on health care provider morale and health, and many additional challenges in international medicine, clinical care and education have been brought to light.
ACAIM has risen to these challenges. Our members have stepped up to the plate to care for sick patients under uncertain conditions. Programs have pivoted to local initiatives and virtual formats, focusing on the dissemination of best practices, the provision of mentorship and support, and exploring novel approaches to these unprecedented times. The networks and partnerships established through ACAIM have helped our members weather these storms.
As our borders become ever less well-defined, we are working together to address global health challenges. ACAIM is one platform for a multi-specialty approach to international medicine that can create effective solutions to improve the health of our populations around the world.
Annelies De Wulf, MD MPH
ACAIM President 2020
Additional Resources
- World Health Organization (WHO) information about Coronavirus
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Situation Summary
- Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centers
- The 2019-2020 Novel Coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) Pandemic: A Joint American College of Academic International Medicine-World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine Multidisciplinary COVID-19 Working Group Consensus Paper. Journal of Global Infectious Disease.
- A joint american college of academic international medicine-world academic council of emergency medicine multidisciplinary COVID-19 working group consensus paper. Journal of global infectious diseases.
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