Applying equity-centered principles in an interprofessional global health course: a mixed methods study.

Area of Science:

• Global Health Education
• Health Research Ethics
• Interprofessional Learning

Background:

• Health professionals often lack preparedness for complex Global South research issues.
• A hybrid course was developed using Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR) equity principles.
• The course aimed to address deficiencies in global health education and prepare future researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the course's effectiveness in fostering attitudes aligned with CCGHR principles.
• To identify successes and challenges in the hybrid, interprofessional learning model.
• To evaluate the course's potential to fill gaps in global health training.

Main Methods:

• An interprofessional course for 25 graduate/postgraduate health students from four Western Canadian universities.
• Data collection via pre-post surveys, key informant interviews, and participant observation.
• Faculty included experts from medicine, public health, nursing, and social sciences.

Main Results:

• Significant positive evolution in student attitudes towards global health research and practice principles.
• Hybrid format and interprofessional cohort presented both opportunities and challenges.
• Students suggested stronger partnerships with Global South institutions for enhanced relevance.

Conclusions:

• The course effectively prepares future global health researchers and practitioners.
• Focusing on CCGHR principles can mitigate historical limitations in global health research.
• Further longitudinal studies are recommended for definitive conclusions.