International service and public health learning objectives for medical students

Abstract

Objective We aimed to improve the education of medical students involved in a longitudinal perinatal health improvement project in Gowa, Malawi. Design We conducted qualitative interviews with students who participated in the project, reviewed their quantitative reports, and assessed the application of methodologies consonant with the learning objectives of a novel community health improvement course within their experience. Setting The Gowa Health Promotions Project, designed to improve perinatal care for women and their families within the Gowa Health Clinic, used community participatory research strategies. Method Medical students partnered with clinic workers and the local residents, evaluated, and revised an existing perinatal educational program. Qualitative and quantitative health and program data were collected, and program revisions were implemented. The value of the student experiences as a public health educational tool was evaluated by the authors. Results Project sustainability was enhanced by a fellowship and planning for sequential students. The community health course structure and goals enhanced learning in the project. Engagement of investigators as early as possible in an international public health enhancement project improves student learning and ongoing commitment. Conclusion Service learning objectives aimed at providing valuable medical learning to student learners immersed in other cultures are consistent with evidence-based learning objectives in the field of public health. Proactively structuring this experience to explicate these goals can enhance student learning. This dual strategy may improve the sustainability of international health programs by educating medical students while leading them into careers where these skills will be leveraged.

Immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA TL1 and KL2 training and career development

“…Personal and institutional identifiers were redacted prior to analysis. After establishing a general framework for data analysis (open coding of text related to initial domains of interest), an axial coding strategy based on the grounded theory approach [6] led to specific categories, following procedures that we have used previously [2,[7][8][9]. Two experienced coders independently assigned initial themes to each text response.…”

Building capacity for collaborative research on opioid and other substance use disorders through the Clinical and Translational Science Award Program

“…After coding, review, and regular peer debriefing, themes that emerged were further organized within broader domains when applicable and compared among and between domain areas during additional meetings [26]. Finally, two co-authors, LBC and SM, consolidated the domains and text over six sessions to increase confidence in the fidelity of the qualitative methods and the trustworthiness of the resultant themes [27][28][29].…”

General health of students of medical sciences and its relation to sleep quality, cell phone overuse, social networks and internet addiction

“…General health as a substantial basis of the health system consists of overarching social activities and actions that are mainly based on the prevention strategy [1]. Since the health of the students guarantees the level of science and development of each community, attention to promoting the general health of students of medical sciences as human resources and responsible persons for the health of community and also identifying the factors affecting this variable seems necessary [2–4]. In Iran, numerous studies have been conducted on the general health of students, and the results of these studies can provide valuable information about educational planning to the authorities.…”