Curricular aspects of the Fogarty bioethics international training programs

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Bioethics
• Medical Education

Background:

• Masters' level international research ethics training programs are crucial for advancing ethical research practices globally.
• The Fogarty International Center supports initiatives to develop and implement these vital educational programs.
• Understanding the nuances of curriculum design and faculty experience is key to program success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the curriculum design, faculty characteristics, and implementation experiences of masters' level international research ethics training programs.
• To identify common core competencies and skills taught in these advanced research ethics programs.
• To analyze faculty collaboration and experience, particularly between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of curriculum design and implementation data from masters' level international research ethics training programs.
• Examination of pedagogical approaches, core competencies, and skills development.
• Assessment of faculty demographics, expertise, and collaborative experiences.

Main Results:

• Over 75% of curricula included international research ethics, responsible conduct of research, human rights, and ethical review processes.
• Key skills developed include critical thinking, research methodology, statistics, writing, and presentation proficiency.
• Faculty collaboration between LMICs and HICs was common, with significant prior experience in LMICs among HIC faculty.

Conclusions:

• International research ethics training programs successfully incorporate global ethical issues and responsible conduct of research.
• Effective programs address the cultural context of trainees and foster a transnational exchange of ideas.
• Collaboration between HIC and LMIC faculty is a valuable component, enriching the educational experience and promoting global research ethics standards.