Global Women's Health Education in Canadian Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Programs: A Survey of Program Directors and Senior Residents

Abstract

Objective: To become culturally competent practitioners with the ability to care and advocate for vulnerable populations, residents must be educated in global health priorities. In the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, there is minimal information about global women's health (GWH) education and interest within residency programs. We wished to determine within obstetrics and gynaecology residency programs across Canada: (1) current GWH teaching and support, (2) the importance of GWH to residents and program directors, and (3) the level of interest in a national postgraduate GWH curriculum. Methods: We conducted an online survey across Canada of obstetrics and gynaecology residency program directors and senior obstetrics and gynaecology residents. Results: Of 297 residents, 101 (34 .0%) responded to the survey and 76 (26%) completed the full survey. Eleven of 16 program directors (68 .8%) responded and 10/16 (62 .5%) provided complete responses. Four of 11 programs (36 .4%) had a GWH curriculum, 2/11 (18 .2%) had a GWH budget, and 4/11 (36 .4%) had a GWH chairperson. Nine of 10 program directors (90%) and 68/79 residents (86 .1%) felt that an understanding of GWH issues is important for all Canadian obstetrics and gynaecology trainees. Only 1/10 program directors (10%) and 11/79 residents (13 .9%) felt that their program offered sufficient education in these issues. Of residents in programs with a GWH curriculum, 12/19 (63 .2%) felt that residents in their program who did not undertake an international elective would still learn about GWH, versus only 9/50 residents (18 .0%) in programs without a curriculum (P < 0 .001). Conclusion: Obstetrics and gynaecology residents and program directors feel that GWH education is important for all trainees and is currently insufficient. There is a high level of interest in a national postgraduate GWH educational module .

JOGC et FIGO 2015

“…Dans cet ordre d'idées, il est encourageant de lire que les directeurs de programme de résidence et les résidents de dernière année du Canada expriment un vif intérêt envers le renforcement de l'éducation de cycle supérieur dans le domaine de la santé des femmes à l'échelle internationale. Comme le signalent Heather Millar et ses collègues, les personnes ayant répondu à leur sondage étaient d'avis que la couverture actuellement consacrée à la santé des femmes à l'échelle mondiale au sein des programmes canadiens de résidence est insuffisante; ces mêmes personnes ont également exprimé leur intérêt envers l'élaboration d'un modèle pédagogique national 17 . Un plan en ce sens sera présenté dans le cadre du congrès mondial de la FIGO à Vancouver.…”