Interest and Attitudes Toward Global Health Training of Prospective Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents

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2017-03-14

Authors

Nguyen, Nguyen
Felini, Martha J.

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Abstract

Purpose: The benefits of global health training in residency clinical education have been well described in graduate medical education literature. Despite these benefits there is a lack of elective global health training opportunities offered by OBGYN residency programs nationally. The purpose of the study is to assess prospective OBGYN residents’ interests and attitudes toward global health training during their residency. Results of the survey can potentially help develop a global health educational curriculum and clinical training opportunity for the JPS OBGYN residency program. Methods: A survey was developed to assess the prospective residents’ views on global health training. Questions assessing interest and attitudes utilized a Likert scale response. Demographic information was collected and applicants self-reported whether they had prior global health experience. The survey was anonymous and voluntary and distributed to all JPS OBGYN residency applicants who interviewed during the 2016-2017 season. The responses were analyzed and summarized. Results: 50 applicants submitted survey responses. Of those applicants, 76% were likely or very likely to participate in a global health elective if offered by their residency program. 94% of applicants agreed that OBGYN residencies should offer voluntary electives in developing countries. 64% of applicants expressed an interest in incorporating global health involvement or international volunteer services into their future practice post-residency while 28% planned to focus their medical career on global health. Scheduling conflicts were perceived as the greatest barrier to participation. Learning about global public health systems and gaining procedural experience were the main interests expressed. Over half of the applicants had previously participated in a global health experience prior to applying for residency. There was a positive association between prior participation and future interest in incorporating global health into their post-residency practices. Conclusions: Information obtained from the survey demonstrated that applicants to the JPS OBGYN residency program believe that a global health elective opportunity should be offered in residency training, and a majority would participate if given the opportunity. With the strong interest and positive attitudes toward a global health elective, steps can be taken to develop a curriculum and training opportunity for the residents.

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