Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey
Background: Competencies developed for global health education programmes that take place in low-income and middle-income countries have largely reflected the perspectives of educators and organisations in high-income countries. Consequently, there has been under-representation of voices and perspec...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2017-04-01
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| Series: | The Lancet Global Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X1730116X |
| _version_ | 1818599338952097792 |
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| author | William Cherniak, MD Emily Latham, MPH Barbara Astle, PhD Geoffrey Anguyo, ChB Tessa Beaunoir, RN Joel H Buenaventura, MD Matthew DeCamp, MD Karla Diaz, PhD Quentin Eichbaum, MD Marius Hedimbi, PhD Cat Myser, PhD Charles Nwobu, ChB Katherine Standish, MD Jessica Evert, MD |
| author_facet | William Cherniak, MD Emily Latham, MPH Barbara Astle, PhD Geoffrey Anguyo, ChB Tessa Beaunoir, RN Joel H Buenaventura, MD Matthew DeCamp, MD Karla Diaz, PhD Quentin Eichbaum, MD Marius Hedimbi, PhD Cat Myser, PhD Charles Nwobu, ChB Katherine Standish, MD Jessica Evert, MD |
| author_sort | William Cherniak, MD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Competencies developed for global health education programmes that take place in low-income and middle-income countries have largely reflected the perspectives of educators and organisations in high-income countries. Consequently, there has been under-representation of voices and perspectives of host communities, where practical, experience-based global-health education occurs. In this study, we aimed to understand what global-health competencies are important in trainees who travel to work in other countries, seeking opinions from host community members and colleagues in low-income and middle-income countries.
Methods: We performed a literature review of current interprofessional global health competencies to inform our survey design. We used a web-based survey, available in English and Spanish, to collect data through Likert-scale and written questions. We piloted the survey in a diverse group of 14 respondents from high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries and subsequently refined the survey for greater clarity. We used convenience sampling to recruit participants from around the world and included a broad range of coauthors. A website was constructed in English and Spanish and the survey link added. This website and link were distributed as broadly as possible. It was mandatory for survey participants to list their country of birth and current work in order to confirm representation.
Findings: We received 274 responses: 227 in English and 47 in Spanish between Sept 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2015. Respondents were from 38 countries across all economic regions. After data cleaning, we included 170 responses (132 in English and 38 in Spanish): 44 (26%) from high-income countries, 74 (44%) from upper-middle income countries, 31 (18%) from lower-middle income countries, and 21 (12%) from low-income countries. Respondents spoke 22 distinct primary languages. In terms of pre-departure competencies, 111 respondents rated cultural awareness and respectful conduct while on rotations as important. For intra-experience competencies, 88 of 112 respondents (79%) thought that it was equally as important for trainees to learn about the local culture as it was to learn about medical conditions. 65 of 109 (60%) respondents reported trainees gaining fluency in the local language as being not important. In terms of post-experience competencies, none of the respondents reported that trainees arrive as independent practitioners to fill health-care gaps.
Interpretation: Most hosts and partners across economic regions appreciate having trainees from other countries in their institutions and communities. There was a strong emphasis from respondents on the importance of a greater focus on cultural learning and building respect over medical knowledge and clinical practice. Additionally, respondents did not believe that trainees fill important human resource gaps, but are instead being provided with a beneficial learning experience. By gaining insight into host perceptions on desired competencies, global health education programmes in low-income and middle-income countries can be collaboratively and ethically designed and implemented to meet the priorities, needs, and expectations of host communities. Our findings could change how global health education programmes are structured, by encouraging North-South/East-West shared agenda setting, mutual respect, empowerment, and collaboration.
Funding: Child Family Health International. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T12:18:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e04299008d004ed5b40878eaae142965 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-109X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T12:18:01Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Lancet Global Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e04299008d004ed5b40878eaae1429652022-12-21T22:32:03ZengElsevierThe Lancet Global Health2214-109X2017-04-015S1S910.1016/S2214-109X(17)30116-XHost perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a surveyWilliam Cherniak, MD0Emily Latham, MPH1Barbara Astle, PhD2Geoffrey Anguyo, ChB3Tessa Beaunoir, RN4Joel H Buenaventura, MD5Matthew DeCamp, MD6Karla Diaz, PhD7Quentin Eichbaum, MD8Marius Hedimbi, PhD9Cat Myser, PhD10Charles Nwobu, ChB11Katherine Standish, MD12Jessica Evert, MD13University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadasUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USATrinity Western University, Langley, BC, CanadaMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, UgandaBlue Roof LifeSpace, Durban, South AfricaChild Family Health International, PhillipinesJohns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USAUniversidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, EcuadorVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USAUniversity of Namibia, Windhoek, NamibiaRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL, USAChild Family Health International, GhanaYale University, New Haven, CT, USAChild Family Health International, San Francisco, CA, USABackground: Competencies developed for global health education programmes that take place in low-income and middle-income countries have largely reflected the perspectives of educators and organisations in high-income countries. Consequently, there has been under-representation of voices and perspectives of host communities, where practical, experience-based global-health education occurs. In this study, we aimed to understand what global-health competencies are important in trainees who travel to work in other countries, seeking opinions from host community members and colleagues in low-income and middle-income countries. Methods: We performed a literature review of current interprofessional global health competencies to inform our survey design. We used a web-based survey, available in English and Spanish, to collect data through Likert-scale and written questions. We piloted the survey in a diverse group of 14 respondents from high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries and subsequently refined the survey for greater clarity. We used convenience sampling to recruit participants from around the world and included a broad range of coauthors. A website was constructed in English and Spanish and the survey link added. This website and link were distributed as broadly as possible. It was mandatory for survey participants to list their country of birth and current work in order to confirm representation. Findings: We received 274 responses: 227 in English and 47 in Spanish between Sept 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2015. Respondents were from 38 countries across all economic regions. After data cleaning, we included 170 responses (132 in English and 38 in Spanish): 44 (26%) from high-income countries, 74 (44%) from upper-middle income countries, 31 (18%) from lower-middle income countries, and 21 (12%) from low-income countries. Respondents spoke 22 distinct primary languages. In terms of pre-departure competencies, 111 respondents rated cultural awareness and respectful conduct while on rotations as important. For intra-experience competencies, 88 of 112 respondents (79%) thought that it was equally as important for trainees to learn about the local culture as it was to learn about medical conditions. 65 of 109 (60%) respondents reported trainees gaining fluency in the local language as being not important. In terms of post-experience competencies, none of the respondents reported that trainees arrive as independent practitioners to fill health-care gaps. Interpretation: Most hosts and partners across economic regions appreciate having trainees from other countries in their institutions and communities. There was a strong emphasis from respondents on the importance of a greater focus on cultural learning and building respect over medical knowledge and clinical practice. Additionally, respondents did not believe that trainees fill important human resource gaps, but are instead being provided with a beneficial learning experience. By gaining insight into host perceptions on desired competencies, global health education programmes in low-income and middle-income countries can be collaboratively and ethically designed and implemented to meet the priorities, needs, and expectations of host communities. Our findings could change how global health education programmes are structured, by encouraging North-South/East-West shared agenda setting, mutual respect, empowerment, and collaboration. Funding: Child Family Health International.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X1730116X |
| spellingShingle | William Cherniak, MD Emily Latham, MPH Barbara Astle, PhD Geoffrey Anguyo, ChB Tessa Beaunoir, RN Joel H Buenaventura, MD Matthew DeCamp, MD Karla Diaz, PhD Quentin Eichbaum, MD Marius Hedimbi, PhD Cat Myser, PhD Charles Nwobu, ChB Katherine Standish, MD Jessica Evert, MD Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey The Lancet Global Health |
| title | Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey |
| title_full | Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey |
| title_fullStr | Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey |
| title_short | Host perspectives on short-term experiences in global health: a survey |
| title_sort | host perspectives on short term experiences in global health a survey |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X1730116X |
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