Anesthesia education across borders

Abstract

Changing attitudes toward global health are affecting medical education programs at all levels in the USA and abroad. This review describes some of these changes, and how these affect the educational aspects of US global health programs and anesthesia training in developing countries. Interest in global health has surged in the past decade, and support for programs has increased in medical schools, university hospitals and from the US government. Recognition of the surgical burden of disease as a global public health problem has been slow but is also increasing. Anesthesia involvement in building healthcare education infrastructure and workforce in low-resource countries is needed and important, and benefits can be had on both sides of the border. The past 5 years have brought a new global focus on workforce development and education in anesthesia. Programs need to be supported by all stakeholders and monitored for safety, quality and outcomes.