Evaluation of a Global Health Training Program for Pediatric Residents

Abstract

Background: At Children's Hospital of Michigan, an international health program was initiated in 2004. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the program in imparting knowledge to pediatric residents. Design/Methods: A pretest examining international health knowledge was administered to pediatric residents, and they were reexamined at the end of 1 year. Results: Out of 20 residents who participated in the study, 11 (55%) fully participated in the international health program, and the other 9 partially participated. The mean overall pretest score was 56% and posttest score was 65.8% (P < .004). Full participant mean pretest was 57% and posttest was 69% (P < .005). Partial participant mean pretest was 55% and posttest was 62%, no significant difference (P = .10). Birth, medical education, residency training, or work history in a developing country did not impact pretest or posttest scores. Conclusions: Despite small numbers of participants, this evaluation suggests that knowledge in international health can be expanded through a training program.

Keywords

international health evaluation medical education

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

UN World Tourism Organization. Tourism highlights 2007 edition. http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/highlights/highlights_07_eng_lr.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2007.

US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. Office of travel and tourism industries page. http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov. Accessed July 24, 2007.

Schultz SH , Rousseau S. International health training in family practice residency programs. Fam Med. 1998; 30:29-33.

Torjeson K. , Mandalakas A. , Kahn R. , Duncan B. International child health electives for pediatric residents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:1297-1302.

VanRooyen MJ , Clem KJ , Holliman CJ , Wolfson AB , Green G. , Kirsch TD Proposed fellowship training program in International Emergency Medicine. Acad Emerg Med. 1999;6:145-149.

Miller WC , Corey GR , Lallinger GJ , Durack DT International health and internal medicine residency training: the Duke University experience. Am J Med. 1995;99:291-297.

Thompson MJ , Huntington MK , Hunt DD , Pinsky LE , Brodie JJ Educational effects of international health electives on US and Canadian medical students and residents: a literature review. Acad Med. 2003;78:342-347.

Houpt ER , Pearson RD , Hail TL Three domains of competency in global health education: recommendations for all medical students. Acad Med. 2007;82:222-225.

Gupta AR , Wells CK , Horwitz RI , Bia FJ , Barry M. The international health program: the 15-year experience with Yale University's Internal Medicine Residency Program. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1999;61:1019-1023.

10.

Ramsey AH , Haq C. , Gjerde CL , Rothenberg D. Career influence of an international health experience during medical school . Fam Med. 2004;36:412-416.