Building transdisciplinary university collaboration to strengthen global adolescent health

Abstract

settings (RLS) by extending their educational mission. Teaching hospitals within AMCs represent concentrations of expertise in health professional training that can be directed toward building health sector capacity globally. Over the past 25 years, a U.S.-based Teaching Hospital (TH) has operated a suite of educational programs (“Programs”) with the aim of knowledge transfer in pediatric and women’s health. Structure/Method/Design: The Programs’ goals include: establish a foundation for long-term inter-institutional collaboration with bi-directional benefit in RLS; utilize established relationships as platforms to address healthcare needs in underserved communities. The Programs’ include: a four-week, customized visiting scholar immersion for selected physicians to obtain knowledge needed to lead the development of programs in their home institutions; an annual colloquium targeting educational needs of clinical providers in pediatric and maternal health; a team of TH professionals deployed to educational forums in RLS. The primary program beneficiaries are clinical providers with completed/active training in pediatric or women’s health. Participants are identified through the network of partner organizations in governmental and non-governmental health service sectors through execution of the Programs. The design of the Programs promotes access to the highest quality educational opportunities with minimal barriers, essential for health professionals in RLS. Long-term sustainability of the Programs and their benefits to RLS is dependent upon the Programs working within and between one another. Outcomes & Evaluation: TH educational programs for RLS are long-standing, supported by a core team of dedicated healthcare professionals, and serve as a basis for sustained institutional collaboration in RLS. Since 2007, 403 visiting scholars trained in 12 specialties at TH; scholars represented 54 countries, approximately 80% were RLS. The annual colloquium, founded in 1990, is among the longest-standing international educational forums of any pediatric hospital in the U.S. Since 2007, 893 participants, representing 30 countries, received continuing education in pediatric and women’s health; 86% of countries represented are RLS. Finally, the team of TH professionals deployed to address educational needs abroad has been solely focused on RLS since its inception in 2007. Last year, the team of TH professionals participated in 16 conferences in 3 RLS countries, reaching 25,000+ learners and partnering with 13 organizations to achieve these outcomes. Going Forward: Challenges include medical licensing board restrictions on non-U.S. trained clinicians and identification of physicians with necessary language skills to execute the Programs. TH plans to address unmet goals through execution of program growth strategies Funding: TH provides direct support from its operating budget and in-kind support; international partners provide in-kind support for outbound programs. Abstract #: 02ETC026