Abstract
International health electives offer unique experiences for medical students to develop clinical skills and cultural competencies
in unique and diverse environments. Medical students have been increasingly pursuing these learning opportunities despite
the challenges. However, their goals in pursuing these opportunities and the relation between their learning objectives and
actual experiences have not been studied adequately. It is important to assess these programs based on student objectives
and whether those objectives are met. Thirty-seven medical students from five cohorts at a US medical school completed pre-post
questionnaires regarding their global health elective objectives and learning experiences. The questionnaires included mostly
open-ended questions and a Likert-scale rating of their overall experience. Qualitative thematic analysis involved inductive
coding and followed a content-driven immersion-crystallization approach. Quantitative program evaluation measures yielded
descriptive statistics. Five general objectives and four types of learning experiences were identified. Student objectives
were: (1) to observe the practice and organization of health care in another country; (2) improve medical/surgical skills;
(3) improve language skills; (4) learn about another culture; and (5) deepen knowledge of infectious diseases. All of their
objectives were achieved. Moreover, one learning theme, “self-reflection and personal growth,” was not a student objective.
Quantitative assessment showed that most students had a favorable elective experience. Program challenges were also identified.
Students in a global health elective were able to fulfill self-identified learning objectives, while also gaining other unexpected
yet important lessons. Students’ learning objectives also should be considered in evaluating learning experiences in international
health electives.
in unique and diverse environments. Medical students have been increasingly pursuing these learning opportunities despite
the challenges. However, their goals in pursuing these opportunities and the relation between their learning objectives and
actual experiences have not been studied adequately. It is important to assess these programs based on student objectives
and whether those objectives are met. Thirty-seven medical students from five cohorts at a US medical school completed pre-post
questionnaires regarding their global health elective objectives and learning experiences. The questionnaires included mostly
open-ended questions and a Likert-scale rating of their overall experience. Qualitative thematic analysis involved inductive
coding and followed a content-driven immersion-crystallization approach. Quantitative program evaluation measures yielded
descriptive statistics. Five general objectives and four types of learning experiences were identified. Student objectives
were: (1) to observe the practice and organization of health care in another country; (2) improve medical/surgical skills;
(3) improve language skills; (4) learn about another culture; and (5) deepen knowledge of infectious diseases. All of their
objectives were achieved. Moreover, one learning theme, “self-reflection and personal growth,” was not a student objective.
Quantitative assessment showed that most students had a favorable elective experience. Program challenges were also identified.
Students in a global health elective were able to fulfill self-identified learning objectives, while also gaining other unexpected
yet important lessons. Students’ learning objectives also should be considered in evaluating learning experiences in international
health electives.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9547-y
- Authors
- David Holmes, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Farber Hall #202, 3435 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
- Luis E. Zayas, School of Social Work, College of Public Programs, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Alex Koyfman, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145