International Wilderness Life Support is MedTreks’ wilderness and global health medicine certification course for healthcare professionals training to provide care in remote, austere, and resource-limited settings. This FAQ answers common questions about who the IWLS course is for, how the hybrid format works, what CME is available, and how universities, residency programs, healthcare systems, or outdoor organizations can host a course.

What does IWLS stand for?

International Wilderness Life Support (IWLS) is a wilderness and global health medicine certification course developed by MedTreks International. The course focuses on providing healthcare professionals with practical skills for practicing medicine in austere, remote, and resource-limited environments.

Who is the IWLS course designed for?

IWLS is designed for:

• Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Nurses
• Residents and Fellows
• Medical, PA, and Nursing Students
• Wilderness medicine professionals
• Global health practitioners
• Outdoor and expedition leaders
• Healthcare professionals interested in travel, humanitarian, or remote medicine

The course can be adapted for both experienced clinicians and advanced learners.

How many CME hours does the course provide?

IWLS offers up to 28 hours of Category 1 CME through the Wilderness Medical Society.

CME availability may vary slightly depending on course structure and participation requirements.

What makes IWLS different from other wilderness medicine courses?

IWLS places a strong emphasis on:

• Global health medicine
• Resource-limited care
• International and expedition medicine
• Adaptability and field decision making
• Practical, scenario-based learning

The course was built from years of real-world experience teaching and practicing medicine in wilderness and international settings. In addition to wilderness medicine fundamentals, IWLS explores the human side of practicing medicine outside traditional healthcare systems.

Can universities or residency programs host an IWLS?

Absolutely. IWLS was specifically designed to be flexible for:

• Universities
• Residency and fellowship programs
• Nursing and PA programs
• Global health tracks
• Student interest groups
• Conferences and retreats
• Healthcare systems
• Outdoor leadership organizations

We work closely with each host institution to customize the course structure and learning experience for their audience.

What does the licensing package include?

Licensed IWLS partners receive access to:

• Full course curriculum
• Online educational modules
• Instructor teaching materials
• Lecture presentations
• Practical skills resources
• Course schedules and guidance
• Administrative support resources
• CME coordination pathways
• Ongoing collaboration with the MedTreks team

Our goal is to make implementation as streamlined and supportive as possible.

Do hosts need prior wilderness medicine experience?

Not necessarily. Many host institutions already have faculty with wilderness medicine, emergency medicine, sports medicine, EMS, or global health experience – but we can also help guide newer programs through the process.

We are happy to discuss instructor development pathways and collaborative teaching models depending on your program’s needs.

Is the course online or in person?

IWLS is typically offered in a hybrid format, combining:

• Online pre-course learning modules
• In-person lectures and discussions
• Hands-on practical skills training
• Scenario-based exercises

This format allows learners to maximize hands-on time while still receiving comprehensive educational content.

How long is the course?

Most IWLS courses are structured as:

• Approximately 16 hours of online learning
• Approximately 12 hours of in-person instruction

Course schedules can be adapted depending on the host institution and educational goals.

Can the course be customized for our community or specialty?

Yes. One of the strengths of IWLS is its flexibility.

Depending on the audience, courses may emphasize:

• Global health
• Expedition medicine
• Outdoor emergency care
• Humanitarian medicine
• Travel medicine
• Leadership in austere settings
• Student-focused education
• Rural healthcare applications

We enjoy collaborating with hosts to create experiences that feel meaningful and relevant for their learners.

How many participants can attend an IWLS course?

Course sizes can vary significantly depending on:

• Venue size
• Instructor availability
• Hands-on skill station logistics
• Educational goals

We have supported both small, intimate courses and larger institutional programs.

Can MedTreks help provide instructors?

Yes. Depending on scheduling and availability, MedTreks International may be able to provide:

• Lead instructors
• Guest faculty
• Wilderness medicine educators
• Global health speakers
• Course mentorship and planning support

We can also help train and support local instructors over time.

Is IWLS appropriate for students?

Yes. Many medical, nursing, and PA students are seeking more hands-on and globally relevant educational experiences.

IWLS can be an excellent addition to:

• Wilderness medicine electives
• Global health programs
• Student leadership initiatives
• Outdoor medicine interest groups
• Gap year or international medicine preparation

The course can be tailored appropriately for different levels of training.

Why are programs choosing to offer wilderness medicine education?

Many institutions are recognizing that wilderness and austere medicine education helps learners build:

• Critical thinking skills
• Adaptability
• Leadership
• Team communication
• Confidence in uncertainty
• Resourcefulness under pressure

These skills translate far beyond wilderness settings and often strengthen learners’ clinical confidence overall.

How do we get started hosting an IWLS course?

The first step is simply reaching out to the MedTreks team for a conversation.

We are happy to discuss:

• Your educational goals
• Potential course formats
• Licensing pathways
• Instructor support
• Scheduling
• Pricing structure
• CME options
• Long-term partnership opportunities

Contact Us

Learn more through contact us or connect with our team directly to begin exploring IWLS licensing opportunities. You can also email us at: info@medtreksinternational.com