OBJECTIVES: To determine if a standardized global child health (GCH) modular course for pediatric residents leads to satisfaction, learning, and behavior change. METHODS: Four 1-hour interactive GCH modules were developed addressing priority GCH topics. “Site champions” from 4 Canadian institutions delivered modules to pediatric residents from their respective programs during academic half-days. A pre–post, mixed methods evaluation incorporated satisfaction surveys, multiple-choice knowledge tests, and focus group discussions involving residents and satisfaction surveys from program directors. RESULTS: A total of 125 trainees participated in ≥1 module. Satisfaction levels were high. Focus group participants reported high satisfaction with the concepts taught and the dynamic, participatory approach used, which incorporated multimedia resources. Mean scores on knowledge tests increased significantly postintervention for 3 of the 4 modules (P < .001), and residents cited increases in their practical knowledge, global health awareness, and motivation to learn about global health. Program directors unanimously agreed that the modules were relevant, interesting, and could be integrated within existing formal training time. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively short, participatory, foundational GCH modular curriculum facilitated knowledge acquisition and attitude change. It could be scaled up and serve as a model for other standardized North American curricula.

A national survey was conducted of current ICH exposure and curriculum in pediatric residency programs. Our objectives were to quantify ICH teaching presently occurring, to identify how programs support trainees in undertaking ICH electives during their training, to determine attitudes towards ICH amongst paediatric program directors and chief residents across the country, and to identify barriers to ICH curriculum expansion within the post-graduate programs. A population census of all 44 chief residents and program directors from the 16 Canadian pediatric programs was undertaken. A self-administered survey was developed de novo for this study. Twenty-two qualitative and quantitative questions were developed under the following domains: demographics, program content, electives, attitudes and perceptions, barriers and future directions. Surveys were completed electronically. Descriptive statistics were used, and common themes were extracted from qualitative responses. The response rate was 65% (29 surveys), with 81% of the training programs represented. Seventy-three percent of the program directors, and 44% of the chief residents from across the country responded. Eighty-nine percent reported that their program did not have a formal curriculum in ICH. All respondents reported some ICH related educational sessions, however certain areas felt to be key were lacking. 80% agreed that electives should be encouraged as part of residency training, but 72% indicated lack of adequate funding for these electives. Overall, 86% agreed that ICH issues are important for paediatric trainees and 84% indicated that more emphasis should be placed on ICH in the paediatric resident curriculum. Eighty-six percent of respondents agreed that their program would be interested in new initiatives regarding ICH. The results of this survey demonstrate that although there are opportunities for ICH exposure in most paediatric training programs, formalized curriculum is lacking. The majority of programs indicated a willingness to support the integration of an ICH curriculum into their core educational components. The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). Towards a Medical Education Relevant to All : The Case for Global Health in Medical Education. A Report of the Global Health Resource Group. April 2006. Bateman C, et al. Bringing global issues to medical teaching. Lancet, 2001; 358:1539-42. Edwards R, et al. Understanding global health issues: are international health electives the answer? Medical Education, 2004; 38:688-690.

A formalised global child health curriculum is lacking for Canadian paediatric residents: Program directors are willing to integrate global child health training modules into their post-graduate training programs.