Four Learner Categories in Global Health Experiences: A Framework for Successful Resident Engagement

Abstract

An increasing number of residency programs in the United States now offer global health experiences for trainees, yet many participating residents lack the behaviors and skills needed to engage effectively with local partners and colleagues. In the experience of the authors, trainees working in global settings fall into 1 of 4 learner categories determined by their degree of cultural humility and their willingness to engage with their hosts. This viewpoint proses the concept of "re-orientation," or ongoing structured mentorship, as a way to provide key opportunities for residents to mature in these two important areas during their global experiences. We propose that residencies should incorporate "re-orientation" as a component of their global health rotations in order to provide their trainees with the skills and behaviors to engage successfully with their local colleagues and partners.

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“…This can be especially problematic when volunteers have not received pre‐trip training regarding cultural humility and country‐specific cultural practices that they may encounter (Martiniuk et al, 2012; Melby et al, 2016). Guiles et al (2022) created a framework to assess four categories of learners participating in global health experiences based on their cultural humility and level of cultural engagement. This framework can help HIC physicians assess the status of their team predeparture so that training can be targeted towards areas of deficiency.…”

“…This framework can help HIC physicians assess the status of their team predeparture so that training can be targeted towards areas of deficiency. This may decrease episodes of negative cross‐cultural interactions that can damage relationships and outcomes (Guiles et al, 2022).…”

“…This also creates an opportunity for sustained partnership with a region with the possibility of regular return trips (Suchdev et al, 2007). An important aspect of a local partnership is the opportunity to receive feedback about successes and failures so that future missions can be subject to continuous improvement (Guiles et al, 2022; Roberts et al, 2022).…”