Diplomatic response to global health challenges in recognizing patient needs: A qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• International Relations
• Public Policy

Background:

• Global health diplomacy (GHD) integrates foreign policy with international health cooperation to achieve national health goals.
• Understanding GHD is crucial as it influences diplomatic relations and patient rights.
• The study focuses on EU-based diplomats and health policy professionals' perceptions of GHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the comprehension of global health diplomacy among international diplomats and health policy professionals within the EU.
• To identify gaps in knowledge and training related to GHD.
• To explore perspectives on the impact of GHD on patient rights and healthcare access.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interview study utilizing heterogeneous stratified purposeful sampling.
• Participants were drawn from core, multi-stakeholder, and informal levels of the health diplomacy pyramid.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes from interviews.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of surveyed practitioners (37/131 respondents) reported limited awareness of the formal definition of GHD.
• Despite limited definitional knowledge, participants engaged in GHD activities and highlighted the need for specialized training for health attachés.
• Participants emphasized the fundamental right to patient rights and access to healthcare, noting impairments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Global health diplomacy plays a vital role in safeguarding patient rights by bridging public health and foreign affairs.
• There is a clear need for enhanced education and defined career pathways for health attachés to strengthen international health agreements.
• Prioritizing health in foreign policy is essential for effective global health governance and patient welfare.