Global health education in China’s medical schools: A national cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

Despite China’s large and growing global presence, data about global health (GH) education (GHE) in China’s medical schools are limited. We aimed to describe GHE in these schools and determine whether some may teach GH concepts without labeling them as such.

Methods

In 2019, 161 Chinese medical schools eligible for accreditation by the Ministry of Education were invited to complete a questionnaire as part of a national survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, Chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, and logit models.

Results

Approximately 57% of schools completed the survey (n = 93). 33 (35.5%) indicated that GHE was included in the curriculum. Although the majority of responding schools reported the absence of GH in the curriculum, GH topics were identified at many institutions. Schools affiliated with the central government or an aspiring world-class university were more likely to report the inclusion of GHE and offered more opportunities at international away sites.

Conclusions

Chinese medical schools are frequently teaching GH topics, but may not label the instruction as such. Policy-makers and educators should be equipped with a global perspective to facilitate GHE at China’s medical schools and take measures to address differences between schools.

Keywords:

• Global health
• global health education
• medical school
• medical student
• China

Acknowledgments

The authors are members of the Bellagio Global Health Education Initiative. They wish to thank Marilyn A. DeLuca and Elsie Kiguli-Malwadde for advice in preparing the manuscript.

Ethical approval

Not applicable. This study, whose focus was not human subjects, was not required to apply for IRB review (National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China 2016; Sun 2020).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Glossary

Global health: Is a field of healthcare rooted in the concepts of health equity, collaborative and multidisciplinary practice, patients and populations, and cross-cultural interactions.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by funding from Peking University Health Science Center [2019YB44] and China Medical Board [12-121].

Notes on contributors

Jianlin Hou

Jianlin Hou, PhD, MSPH, is an associate researcher, Institute of Medical Education & National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Michael J. Peluso

Michael J. Peluso, MD, MPhil, is a clinical fellow in infectious diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US.

Janette S. Samaan

Janette S. Samaan, PhD, is a senior director, visiting student learning opportunities, Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, D.C., US.

Anne T. Kellett

Anne T. Kellett, is a director, Office of Global Health Education, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, US.

Robert M. Rohrbaugh

Robert M. Rohrbaugh, MD, is a professor and deputy chair for education and career development, residency program director, department of psychiatry, associate dean for global health education, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, US.