Abstract
Objective
The demand for global health electives among medical students and residents has grown
substantially, yet perspectives of international hosts are not well documented. This
study aimed to assess how host country supervising clinical preceptors perceive learners
on short-term global health electives of up to 6 weeks.
Methods
This study used a cross-sectional survey design and assessed international clinical
preceptors' perceptions of short-term learners' (STLs) professional behaviors, medical
knowledge, competency in systems-based care, as well as the benefits and burdens of
hosting STLs. Surveys were sent to all clinical preceptors (n = 47) at 4 clinical
sites in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015.
Results
Thirty-two preceptors (68%) responded to the survey. Most respondents (97%) were satisfied
in their role hosting STLs and reported that STLs enhanced patient care and the professional
image of the clinical site. Nearly half of respondents (45%) reported decreased self-perceived
efficiency in clinical care tasks. Qualitative data identified concerns related to
STLs' professionalism and teamwork. Respondents also identified knowledge gaps in
understanding differences in health systems and epidemiology in host country settings.
Respondents preferred that rotations last at least 4 weeks and that STLs complete
predeparture training.
Conclusions
STLs were largely positively regarded by international host clinical preceptors. To
improve mutuality of benefits, sending institutions should ensure learners understand
host country expectations of professionalism and that learners are well prepared for
medical, ethical, and cultural challenges through participation in predeparture curricula
that prepare them clinically and emotionally for these international experiences.
Rotations of at least 4 weeks may enhance benefits to learners and hosts.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 12, 2015
Accepted:
November 6,
2015
Received:
September 4,
2015
Footnotes
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Academic Pediatric Association.
