Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. IntroductionIn an increasingly international and interdependent world, the need for global health teaching is becoming more recognized, both for current and prospective medical students. In this study, we looked to assess available information about global health teaching provision at UK medical schools in the context of the new GMC guidance.MethodsWe collected data about global health teaching in medical schools using three methodologies: 1. Information advertised on medical school websites; 2. Emailing medical school admissions offices; 3. Circulating a survey to medical students through Students for Global Health (then Medsin). We then assessed each university in 5 domains: Student-selected components, intercalated degrees, clearly defined teaching provision within the curriculum, extracurricular activity and dedicated institutes of global health. ResultsThe most common provision was extracurricular activities, the least a dedicated Institute of Global Health. Over half of all UK medical schools offered a Student Selected Component (SSC) option or Masters degree in global health. Only 11 of 33 UK medical schools had specific evidence of global health teaching within the core curriculum. When compared to previous literature regarding professional guidelines, global health teaching provision and information regarding it falls short of the required standards.ConclusionsInformation about global health teaching, both on the curriculum and extra-curricula, at UK medical schools is not universally available for prospective medical students. Although increased teaching within the core curriculum at every medical school may be impractical due to time restrictions, a global health SSC should be available to all students to provide the opportunity of further in-depth study for those who wish to further their knowledge and skills in the area.
Highlights
In an increasingly international and interdependent world, the need for global health teaching is becoming more recognized, both for current and prospective medical students
Data collection We used three methods of data collection that would be available to prospective medical students looking to assess global health teaching provision at UK medical schools
2: Between 27/2/17 and 2/5/17 JC emailed all UK medical school undergraduate admissions offices asking for the following information: "What do you offer for global health: In the core curriculum? Optional components? Opportunities for intercalation?"
Summary
In an increasingly international and interdependent world, the need for global health teaching is becoming more recognized, both for current and prospective medical students. We looked to assess available information about global health teaching provision at UK medical schools in the context of the new GMC guidance. Demographic and epidemiological shifts mean that, in an increasingly international and interdependent world, UK medical students need to be prepared to practice in a wide variety of health settings. Subsequent studies utilised an internet search and information gathered from student representatives, course coordinators and lecturers, identifying gaps in the provision of global health teaching (Kaffes et al, 2016). In the UK, a 2010 study found that of 17 medical schools surveyed only 4 included global health within their core curriculum (Dotchin et al, 2010). A review of Canadian medical schools (Izadnegahdar et al, 2008) uses information gathered from public websites alongside questionnaires distributed to both medical schools and global health student representatives to assess student global health practices and opportunities
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