Clinical research and global health: Mentoring the next generation of health care students

Abstract

Interest in global health and opportunities to conduct clinical research at international sites have increased markedly for health profession trainees. With this increase in demand comes an increase in the need for mentors at international and home institutions to provide guidance with designing, implementing and analysing clinical research projects that benefit both the trainees and the research site. In this article, we provide an overview of our insights gained through mentoring in the international setting and suggest a series of key points to help ensure an enjoyable and productive international clinical research experience for both trainees and mentors.

Keywords:

• clinical research
• mentoring
• global health
• Peru
• medical students

Acknowledgements

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the US Government.

Doctor Silvia Montano is an employee of the US Government. This work was prepared as part of her official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. § 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work as a work of the United States Government’. Title 17 U.S.C. § 101 defines a US Government work as a work prepared by a military sevice member of employee of the US Government as a part of that persion's official duties.