A scoping and web-based review of current practices and lessons learnt in development and sustainability of global health emergency medicine fellowships

Abstract

Background: Despite a high perceived interest in advanced global health training among Canadian emergency medicine trainees, only one global health emergency medicine (GHEM) fellowship existed in Canada at the time of this review. We conducted a scoping and web-based review to summarize the components of, and lessons learnt through development and implementation of global health emergency medicine fellowship programs to date, to inform program development. Methods: We conducted a scoping and web-based review by systematically searching electronic databases from inception to 2021 for articles and websites (2022) describing global health emergency medicine training programs based in high income countries. Results: From 2957 articles and 62 websites identified, eight articles and 43 websites were included in the review. Fellowships are generally structured as follows: 1–2 years duration curriculum including clinical skills, and course and field work focused on education, research or administration, funded by fellows’ clinical hours. Details on trainees’ experiences, international work, and program outcomes were lacking. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for information on lessons learnt through development and implementation of GHEM fellowship programs, and experiences and outcomes of trainees to date, to inform program improvements to optimize the benefits of GHEM fellowship training. Registration: Open science framework; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UAH35 February 19th, 2018.