Global health education in UK medical schools: a review of undergraduate university curricula

Abstract

IntroductionIn recognition of our increasingly globalised world, global health is now a required component of the medical school curriculum in the UK. We review the current provision of global health education (GHE) in UK medical schools to identify gaps in compulsory teaching.MethodsWe conducted a review of the literature to inform a two-part electronic survey of global health compulsory teaching, optional teaching and pre-elective training. Surveys were sent to all 33 UK medical schools for completion by the faculty lead on global health and the nominated final year student representative.ResultsSurveys were returned by 29 (88%) medical school faculty and 15 (45%) medical student representatives; 24 (83%) faculty and 10 (67%) students reported including GHE in the core curriculum; however, there was wide variation in the learning outcomes covered. On average 75% of faculty and 82% of students reported covering recommended global health themes ‘global burden of disease’, ‘socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health’, ‘human rights and ethics’, and ‘cultural diversity and health’, while only 48% of faculty and 33% of students reported teaching on ‘health systems’ and ‘global health governance’. Almost all institutions offered optional global health programmes and most offered some form of pre-elective training, although content and delivery were variable.ConclusionOver the last decade, the inclusion of global health in the core curriculum of UK medical schools has increased dramatically. Yet, despite interest among students, significant gaps are apparent in current GHE. Governing bodies in medical education should establish a comprehensive national strategy to help improve access to fundamental GHE for all medical students.

Training tomorrow’s doctors: the impact of a Student Selected Component in Global Health during medical school

“…We developed an electronic survey targeted at Newcastle Medical School alumni who have undertaken the SSC in Global Health using SurveyMonkey, an online survey development platform. Survey questions were informed by the study of participants on the University of Wisconsin International Health Fellowship Program (IHFP) (Ramsey et al, 2004), identified by MEDLINE searches, including the terms 'global health' and 'career influence', as well as the survey of GHE in UK medical schools (Matthews, Davies and Ward, 2020). The survey included questions about advanced training and speciality choice, extracurricular activity, postgraduate qualifications, international work, and the Global Health SSC's influence on their clinical practice and careers.…”

“…The most common organisation students were involved in was Students for Global Health (formerly Medsin) (Table 4). This is perhaps the most prominent student global health network in the UK, which as of 2014-2015, was found to be established and active at 28 (85%) of 33 UK medical schools (Matthews, Davies and Ward, 2020). Since completing medical school, 16 (46%) of 35 respondents indicated they were involved with extracurricular activities.…”

“…This trend has continued with Newcastle Medical School implementing a reformed global health curriculum in 2018 ( Deivanayagam et al, 2018 ) and running an intercalated Master of Research (MRes) programme in Global Health. Evidence shows such growth in GHE occurring nationally, with a 2015 study of UK medical schools finding an increase in the number of institutions reporting GHE in the core curriculum from 24% in 2006 (4/17 according to students) ( Dotchin, van den Ende and Walker, 2010 ) to 83% (according to medical school faculty) or 67% (according to students) and almost all offered optional global health programmes ( Matthews, Davies and Ward, 2020 ).…”

Training in Neurology: Resident Perception of the Utility and Applicability of Global Neurology Morning Reports

“…Interest in global health has increased among undergraduate students, medical students, and residents, [1][2][3] including neurology residents, [4] likely reflecting the growing burden of neurological disease in low-and middle-income countries. [5][6] However, formalized global neurology training tracks [7] and curricula are rare, [8] with only one-half of US and Canadian neurology programs offering global health electives, [4] thus potentially limiting resident training and exposure to the field.…”

International Medical Electives: Another Victim to the COVID Pandemic

“…The UK's General Medical Council (GMC) states that graduates must "evaluate the determinants of health and disease and variations in healthcare delivery and medical practice from a global perspective and explain the impact that global changes may have on local health and wellbeing" [4]. However, there is variability in global health teaching and no standardised curriculum that all UK medical students cover [5]. Without international electives, a key opportunity to meet this outcome is lost.…”