Using starling murmuration as a model for creating a global health community of practice to advance equity in scholarship

Abstract

Background

Disparities in scholarship exist between authors in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries. Recognizing these disparities in our global network providing pediatric, adolescent, and maternal healthcare to vulnerable populations in LMIC, we sought to improve access and provide resources to address educational needs and ultimately impact the broader scholarship disparity.

Methods

We created a virtual community of practice (CoP) program underpinned by principles from starling murmuration to promote interdisciplinary scholarship. We developed guiding principles- autonomy, mastery and purpose- to direct the Global Health Scholarship Community of Practice Program. Program components included a continuing professional development (CPD) program, an online platform and resource center, a symposium for scholarship showcase, and peer coaching.

Results

From February 2021 to October 2022, 277 individuals joined. Eighty-seven percent came from LMIC, with 69% from Africa, 6% from South America, and 13% from other LMIC regions. An average of 30 members attended each of the 21 CPD sessions. Thirty-nine authors submitted nine manuscripts for publication. The symposium increased participation of individuals from LMIC and enhanced scholarly skills and capacity. Early outcomes indicate that members learned, shared, and collaborated as scholars using the online platform.

Conclusion

Sharing of knowledge and collaboration globally are feasible through a virtual CoP and offer a benchmark for future sustainable solutions in healthcare capacity building. We recommend such model and virtual platform to promote healthcare education and mentoring across disciplines.

Keywords:

• LMIC
• capacity-building
• continuing professional development
• disparities
• distributed organization

Program limitations and strengths

Our program had some limitations: We recognize that participants of the GHS-CoP joined voluntarily and that survey responses may skew answers toward positive feedback. Program evaluations have not investigated long-term outcomes of the GHS-CoP.

Ethical approval

The study of this program has been approved by the Baylor College of Medicine institutional review board.

Authors’ contribution

Conceptualization: DN, ST, RNS, BLL; Data curation: DN, ST; Methodology and Formal Analysis: DN, ST, JB; Project Administration: DN; Writing Original Draft: DN, ST, RNS KH, RNS, AM, JB; Review and Editing: DN, ST, BLL, RNS, KH, AM, JB. All authors read and approved the manuscript. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of BIPAI.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current program evaluation are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all GHS-CoP Program members for their participation and the leadership of the BIPAI Network and respective affiliated NGOs for their support.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Diane Nguyen

Diane Nguyen, PharmD, is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and associate director for the Center for Research, Innovation and Scholarship in Health Professions Education. She was formerly director of global programs for BIPAI at the inception of this project.

Rogers N. Ssebunya

Rogers N. Ssebunya, MPH(Epi), PGDM&E, serves as technical lead for Program Outcomes, Evaluations and Operations Research at Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation-Uganda.

Kajal Hirani

Kajal Hirani, PhD, FRACP, MBBS, is a Consultant Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine Physician working at Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation-Malawi during this project.

Anna Mandalakas

Anna Mandalakas, MD, MSEpi, PhD, is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the Division of Global and Immigrant Health.

Jennifer Benjamin

Jennifer Benjamin, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and technology director for the Center for Research, Innovation and Scholarship in Health Professions Education.

B. Lee Ligon

B. Lee Ligon, PhD, MA, MA, MAR, is an Instructor/Department Editor at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Publications for the Center for Research, Innovation, and Scholarship in Health Professions Education.

Satid Thammasitboon

Satid Thammasitboon, MD, MHPE, is an Associate Professor at the Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine and the director for the Center for Research, Innovation and Scholarship in Health Professions Education.