Survey on the status of global health in medical education (SOS – GloHME) – educational benefits and capacities for “Health for All”

Problem analysis Global Health (GH) education is a field of emerging importance. Previous studies on GH education among medical students have been conducted on national levels only. Consequently, comparison of results is not possible and an overview of student opinion on GH education does not exist beyond national borders. As a result, limited evidence exists reflecting students’ knowledge of GH and potential benefits of GH education. However, providing data about medical students’ demand for GH education and the potential benefits involved is a crucial prerequisite for substantiated curricula planning and advocacy for implementing GH in medical education. Methodology Using a web-based, semi-structured questionnaire, medical students will be approached through the global IFMSA networks. The questionnaire will contain questions on student demographics, curricular coverage of pre-defined GH topics, level of satisfaction with GH course opportunities, previously completed GH courses, international mobility and career goals. Students’ knowledge of essential GH topics will be tested by means of an integrated, objective multiple-choice test according to global minimum essential requirements, defined by the Institute for International Medical Education (IIME). Potential benefits of GH education will be measured twofold: 1. by adapted items from the General-Self-Efficacy-Scale about students’ perceived preparedness to tackle global public health challenges, based on the WHO “health for all” principles ‘equity, solidarity and participation’. 2. by tools to identify students’ level of commitment towards social determinants of health (SDH). Stratification criteria will be participation in and duration of completed GH courses. Anticipated Results We anticipate a high demand for GH education, dissatisfaction with the quantity of existing opportunities and a low curricular coverage of GH topics. Further, we expect a significantly higher self-efficacy to cope adequately with GH challenges, a higher awareness of SDH together with an increased knowledge on GH issues among participants who have already completed GH courses.