Global Health Education Programs in the Americas: A Scoping Review

Isabel Amélia Costa Mendes,Artur Acelino Francisco Luz Nunes Queiroz,Álvaro Francisco Lopes De Sousa,Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura

doi:10.5334/aogh.2745

Abstract

Background:The interest in Global Health (GH) as an academic discipline has increased in the last decade. This article reports the findings of a scoping review of studies about Global Health education in the Americas.Objective:To analyse educational programs on global health in the Americas.Method:Five electronic databases were used in a scoping review: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, and Lilacs. Data collection happened in November 2017–March 2018. The following stages were rigorously observed: identification, selection, charting, and summarizing the studies that were included. To process the data, we used IRaMuTeQ software.Findings:Forty-six studies were identified and organized in categories: 1) diversity of the topics addressed in GH; 2) models of teaching; 3) emotional, cultural, and collaborative aspects in teaching GH; 4) student preparation for GH experiences; and 5) structures required for a GH course.Conclusions:The existing global health curriculum in the Americas is diffuse and limited, with a greater focus on clinical aspects. Thus, a minimum curriculum for students from different areas is needed. Results evidenced that the teaching of global health in the Americas is still incipient, although it is promising. The lack of a common curriculum for the courses in the region makes it difficult to train sensitive and capable professionals to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Highlights

Global Health (GH) refers to issues that transcend borders and national governments, demanding actions from global powers, which determine the health of different communities [1]
In the Americas, the interest in GH as an academic discipline has increased in the last decade
This study aims to analyse approaches, characteristics, and challenges faced by educational programs on global health in the Americas

Summary

Introduction

Global Health (GH) refers to issues that transcend borders and national governments, demanding actions from global powers, which determine the health of different communities [1] It involves knowledge, teaching, practice, and research on extraterritorial health issues which extrapolate national geographic borders [2]. In the Americas, the interest in GH as an academic discipline has increased in the last decade This is due to the growing acknowledgement of GH as a fundamental issue in health training, enabling undergraduate and graduate students to better understand the global priority agenda and its demands [5]. This article reports the findings of a scoping review of studies about Global Health education in the Americas. The lack of a common curriculum for the courses in the region makes it difficult to train sensitive and capable professionals to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

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