BackgroundPhysicians need global health competencies to provide effective care to culturally and linguistically diverse patients. Medical schools are seeking innovative approaches to support global health learning. This pilot study evaluated e-learning versus peer-reviewed articles to improve conceptual knowledge of global health.MethodsA mixed methods study using a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative inquiry consisting of four post-intervention focus groups. Outcomes included pre/post knowledge quiz and self-assessment measures based on validated tools from a Global Health CanMEDS Competency Model. RCT results were analyzed using SPSS-21 and focus group transcripts coded using NVivo-9 and recoded using thematic analysis.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-one pre-clerkship medical students from three Canadian medical schools participated in 2012–2013: 59 completed all elements of the RCT, 24 participated in the focus groups. Overall, comparing pre to post results, both groups showed a significant increase in the mean knowledge (quiz) scores and for 5/7 self-assessed competencies (p < 0.05). These quantitative data were triangulated with the focus groups findings that revealed knowledge acquisition with both approaches. There was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches. Participants highlighted their preference for e-learning to introduce new global health knowledge and as a repository of resources. They also mentioned personal interest in global health, online convenience and integration into the curriculum as incentives to complete the e-learning. Beta version e-learning barriers included content overload and technical difficulties.ConclusionsBoth the e-learning and the peer reviewed PDF articles improved global health conceptual knowledge. Many students however, preferred e-learning given its interactive, multi-media approach, access to links and reference materials and its capacity to engage and re-engage over long periods of time.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-015-0421-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Culture, tradition, structural violence, and mental health-related stigma play a major role in global mental health for refugees. Our aim was to understand what factors determine the success or failure of community-based psychotherapy for trauma-affected refugees and discuss implications for primary health care programs. Using a systematic realist-informed approach, we searched five databases from 2000 to 2018. Two reviewers independently selected RCTs for inclusion, and we contacted authors to obtain therapy training manuals. Fifteen articles and 11 training manuals met our inclusion criteria. Factors that improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD included providing culturally adapted care in a migrant-sensitive setting, giving a role to other clinical staff (task-shifting), and intervention intensity. Precarious asylum status, constraining program monitoring requirements, and diverse socio-cultural and gender needs within a setting may reduce the effectiveness of the program. Primary care programs may enable community based mental health care and may reduce mental health-related stigma for refugees and other migrants. More research is needed on the cultural constructs of distress, programs delivered in primary care, and the role of cultural and language interpretation services in mental health care.

Background International migration, especially forced migration, highlights important medical training needs including cross-cultural communication, human rights, as well as global health competencies for physical and mental healthcare. This paper responds to the call for a ‘trauma informed’ refugee health curriculum framework from medical students and global health faculty. Methods We used a mixed-methods approach to develop a guiding medical undergraduate refugee and migrant health curriculum framework. We conducted a scoping review, key informant interviews with global health faculty with follow-up e-surveys, and then, integrated our results into a competency-based curriculum framework with values and principles, learning objectives and curriculum delivery methods and evaluation. Results The majority of our Canadian medical faculty respondents reported some refugee health learning objectives within their undergraduate medical curriculum. The most prevalent learning objective topics included access to care barriers, social determinants of health for refugees, cross-cultural communication skills, global health epidemiology, challenges and pitfalls of providing care and mental health. We proposed a curriculum framework that incorporates values and principles, competency-based learning objectives, curriculum delivery (i.e., community service learning), and evaluation methods. Conclusions The results of this study informed the development of a curriculum framework that integrates cross-cultural communication skills, exploration of barriers towards accessing care for newcomers, and system approaches to improve refugee and migrant healthcare. Programs should also consider social determinants of health, community service learning and the development of links to community resettlement and refugee organizations.

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of chronic conditions (ie, anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and tobacco use) in Syrian refugees.Design Cross-sectional study. Four primary care health clinics received Syrian refugees from December 2015 to April 2016, and each followed a standard protocol for refugee health assessments.Setting Ottawa, Ont.Participants Arabic-speaking Syrian refugees were invited for early primary care health assessment. Most participants arrived in Ottawa from temporary refugee encampments in Lebanon and Jordan between December 2015 and April 2016.Main outcome measures Following a protocol, family physicians and nurse practitioners systematically documented age, sex, education, hemoglobin level, G6PD status, HBV and HCV infection, and tobacco use. ResultsThe study included 669 of the 916 government-assisted refugees, which represents most of the 1087 Syrian refugees to Ottawa: 373 male and 296 female participants. Overall, 28.5% of women and adolescent girls had anemia, and 2.0% of men had G6PD deficiency. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection in the overall population was 0.9% and 0.7%, respectively. Tobacco use was reported in 60.3% of men and 11.7% of women. Overall, alcohol use (3.7%) and other substance use (0.5%) were uncommon. ConclusionAnemia was a common health problem in women of reproductive age, while the prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infection was lower than the prevalence in the general Canadian population. Results showed substantial sex differences in tobacco use, with Syrian men using it at a rate much higher than Canadian men and Syrian women. The health assessment did not document chronic conditions affecting dental or mental health. This article has been peer reviewed. Cet article a fait l'objet d'une révision par des pairs.

Global mental health explores cultural differences and country-specific conditions, it deals with the epidemiology of mental disorders in different countries, their treatment options, mental health education, the structure of mental health care systems, and human rights issues. Specifically, this chapter focuses on community-based mental health approaches to trauma-related illness in refugees and related comorbidities. We develop an argument for shared mental health care, enhanced psychoeducation and other training for primary care practitioners working with refugees. We discuss cultural safety, trauma-informed care approaches, and narrative exposure therapy. We provide examples of these approaches and therapies, and explore how a narrative approach may provide an opportunity to involve students and primary care practitioners in more nuanced communication and care of refugees and other migrants.