Globalization and Health
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2016

Commentary: Expectations for global health program prioritization from a selection of international students studying at a European university (Article) (Open Access)

Quinn J.* , Lidinský V. , Rajaratnam V. , Kruszcynski M. , Zeleny T. , Bencko V.
  • a Charles University, Prague Center for Global Health, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Studnickova 7, Prague, 121 00, Czech Republic
  • b Pražská znalecká kancelář, s.r.o. IC: 48910660, Prague, Czech Republic
  • c Charles University, Prague Center for Global Health, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Studnickova 7, Prague, 121 00, Czech Republic
  • d Charles University, Prague Center for Global Health, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Studnickova 7, Prague, 121 00, Czech Republic
  • e Charles University, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic, Charles University, Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
  • f Charles University, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Background: Some university curricula struggle to present evidence-based promotion of global health principles and global health diplomacy within an undergraduate setting. The de facto global health paradigm has experienced significant stress and pressure from epidemics, war and violence, climate change and resource challenges. These stressors may lead to increased morbidity and mortality, in turn requiring medical professionals to play a larger role in global health action across borders. Methods: In the academic year 2014-2015, an English-speaking international medical school promoted a global health forum with pre-course readings and a pre-attendance quiz. All students from the university were invited to attend and the event was not mandatory. Results: The one-day-event culminated in expert speakers, discussions and a post-event questionnaire to gauge students' reactions and expectations as future physicians regarding the most pressing global health topics. Emphasis was also placed on what future doctors foresee as pressing issues in forthcoming global health policy and programming. Summary: This paper is a brief commentary of the Global Health Forum in Prague 2014, and presents novel results from a post-event student questionnaire, with conclusions provided by students on innovative global health policy. © 2016 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Medical students and staffing Global health diplomacy Medical education Global health curricula Medical meetings

Index Keywords

curriculum health care policy Europe community care human violence priority journal morbidity disease eradication medical practice student health program curriculum development prioritization diplomacy risk factor questionnaire Climate change medical education university student Article epidemic infection prevention awareness health education Ebola hemorrhagic fever Health Policy expectation higher education university sector mortality medical school vaccine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84995544492&doi=10.1186%2fs12992-016-0193-5&partnerID=40&md5=d87a23769bc183e66565dbcdbb494156
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-016-0193-5
ISSN: 17448603
Original Language: English