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Vision The Intermed vision is to provide a unique 3 or 4 week intensive Introduction to International Health & Development course for Christian health professionals. History The Intermed program developed from the work experience of Dr Anthony Radford in many developing country contexts, including primary health care, the WHO Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), control of diarrhoeal disease, maternal and child health and health program evaluation. He also reviewed educational programs for both professional and community-based primary heath care workers. He discovered that very few health professionals from developed countries had any orientation in delivering health care in such situations, in particular to the most disadvantaged communities. In addition, many had not received any orientation or training for cross-cultural living, or in basic development issues. The common consequences of this among these health professionals were:
Anthony therefore developed and implemented a short (3 week) multidisciplinary and introductory course, which later became an optional elective unit in a Master of Science in Primary Health Care program at Flinders University in South Australia. In 1994, when Anthony retired from Flinders University, the course was established as one for Christian health professionals under an organization called Intermed SA. Tabor Adelaide, a theological college, generously provided access to their teaching facilities for the Summer School. The course, or school, has been
variously described as An Introduction or Orientation to Medical Mission
or An Introduction to International Health & Development. This program
has now been given in some form on five continents over the past two
decades: Australia, Asia, North America, South America, and Europe.
Courses have also been adapted for missionaries with non-health care
professional backgrounds in Australia, Africa, Brazil and India. These
have been mainly primary health care workers and teachers who felt
called to work in rural or slum areas.
Almost 1000 health workers have now attended these courses in various
countries, including the USA, England, Brazil, Taiwan and Australia. The
class in the Australian program has grown from 3 in 1995 to an average
of 25 each year from 1998. Most participants learn about the Summer
School by ‘word of mouth’ from former participants, or from their
churches and mission organisations.
Personal Stories
'Nobody should go into medical mission without doing this course.' Member Agencies The organizations that supported the founding of Intermed were:
Governance Intermed SA is a not-for-profit Association registered with the Office for Business and Consumer Affairs in South Australia (Registered No. A0022641J). The Intermed Constitution has recently been updated to be fully compliant with government requirements.
Under the Constitution, Intermed SA is managed by a Committee. Committee Members for 2010-11 are:
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click on the table above for large view
click on the table above for large view