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.
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 Citation2016; Sun Citation2020).
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
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.