Development of an innovative, competency-based, multi-speciality training programme in global health for graduate medical education

Abstract

Physicians increasingly care for ethnically diverse populations. Demand for global health training in graduate medical education (GME) is increasing, but there is variability across specialities. We developed a multi-speciality GME course for trainees seeking to integrate global health into their careers. The Consortium of Universities in Global Health's Toolkit was the foundation for creating this course. The course includes eleven modules taught by faculty across specialities. Trainees completed pre- and post-course online surveys to measure their knowledge, skills, and attitudes on these global health competencies and to gather course feedback. We compared pre- and post-course data to determine change in global health competencies and course perceptions. In the first two years, 62 residents participated. Overall, trainees' knowledge of international health concepts increased by 51%. The course was well received; 95% would recommend the course to a colleague. There was no fee to participate. Faculty donated their effort to developing and teaching the course. Faculty worked in pairs to maintain feasibility of implementation and were responsible for one module. Analyses showed the course had high levels of effectiveness in increasing learners' knowledge, acceptability by learners, and feasibility of implementation. This programme collaborates across specialities and is a model for other GME programmes.