MD ID 6570 - Political Asylum Medicine Elective

The aim of this elective is to educate medical students primarily, with the intention of later offering credit to residents and fellows, in advocacy and medical-legal partnerships designed to support individuals seeking political asylum in the United States. During this elective, students will explore how forensic evaluations are conducted, documented, and their clinical utility in immigration courts. Specifically, students will develop, practice, and refine their ability to document quality affidavits that can be utilized as objective medical evidence in an individual’s case for asylum. Students who attend the required core competency sessions will be permitted to shadow physicians and assist during forensic medical evaluations in the University of Utah’s Asylum Clinic. Additionally, students will be introduced to themes such as trauma-informed care, how to serve LGBTQ+ and pediatric clients, and the diversity of asylum cases that are addressed in the Intermountain West. This elective is directed towards all medical students interested in working with medically underserved populations and patients whose health is largely affected by legal, social, and cultural barriers to care.