A web-based review of global health programs in U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical schools

Abstract

Purpose

There is no current centralized database of structured global health programs at U.S. medical schools and no published review in the past decade. This study aims to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and requirements of non-degree, longitudinal, structured global health programs in U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.

Materials and methods

In July 2021, the authors performed a web-based review of existing structured global health programs for the 154 U.S. allopathic medical schools and 35 U.S. osteopathic medical schools established prior to 2019.

Results

Of 189 institutions examined, 74 (39%) had online information about a structured global health program. Forty-three (53%) programs reported coursework requirements, 44 (54%) required a global health experience, and one program required demonstration of language or cultural knowledge. More internally administered programs required experiential work, while more externally administered programs required didactic work. There were few differences in program requirements between allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.

Conclusions

There has been a 75% increase over the past ten years in the number of U.S. allopathic medical schools with websites for structured global health programs. There appeared to be little standardization in their structure and requirements. The findings support the need for a web-based central repository for updated information regarding medical school global health curricula.

Keywords:

• Global health program
• global health education
• medical school
• website review

Disclosure statement

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

Glossary

Structured global health program: A medical school global health program with a longitudinal, well-delineated curriculum.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. K. Edwards

M. K. Edwards, MS, is a medical student at Case Western Reserve University.

C. An

C. An, B.S., is a medical student at Case Western Reserve University.

R. Rohrbaugh

R. Rohrbaugh, MD, is a Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University.

M. J. Peluso

M. J. Peluso, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of California San Francisco.

S. K. Lam

S. K. Lam, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.