Exploring the Italian Healthcare System

Last summer, students from Texas Christian University’s Global Perspectives in Health program in Italy visited the facilities of the National Institute for Health, Migration, and Poverty (INMP). Located in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere, the Institute provides free healthcare to those who would not otherwise have access to it, including people in difficult financial situations and undocumented migrants. Their staff includes not only doctors and researchers, but interpreters and cultural mediators, to make their services accessible to all those in need.

The visit was part of a three-week-long program in Rome and Florence, exploring health in Italy, from the inner workings of the healthcare system to the history of medicine, mental health among Italians, and the organizational structure of medical schools.

Students were first welcomed by the Institute’s Medical Director, Dr. Christian Napoli, who held a short presentation introducing the work of the Institute and its many projects. They then took a detailed tour of the facilities, led by Senior Cultural Mediator Chiara Cianciulli. The visit included the clinics, the research labs, and the dental office. In each area, the group met with medical and administrative staff, who introduced their work and experience and answered the students’ many questions. In several instances, students also had in-depth conversations about research methodology with INMP staff who are carrying out research projects on human biology. Such close access to both facilities and staff provided program participants with a great opportunity to see how medical professionals operate in a different cultural environment and within the framework of free healthcare.

After the tour of the facilities, the group had a wrap-up meeting with Chiara, in which they explored the importance of cross-cultural communication in modern healthcare. Thanks to this visit, students were able to gain a better understanding of the Italian healthcare system by exploring how it functions first-hand.

Accent has extensive experience designing experiential learning activities that complement and build on the learning objectives of faculty-directed courses. Please reach out to Accent’s Program Development team at development@accentglobal.com if you are interested in discussing these ideas for your current or future study abroad program.