Preclinical Experiential Global Health Leads to Transformative Learning and Long‑term Impact

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Global Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• The Slemenda Scholars (SS) program at Indiana University School of Medicine provides preclinical students with early global health exposure.
• This program collaborates with Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Kenya, a 30-year partnership focused on sustainable healthcare delivery and education.
• While clinical electives' impact is known, the effect of preclinical immersive global health learning has not been studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact and transformative nature of the preclinical Slemenda Scholars global health program.
• To assess the development of skills such as cultural humility and personal resilience in participants.
• To understand how early global health exposure influences medical students' career paths.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 66 Slemenda Scholars alumni in 2023.
• Qualitative analysis of 50 written narratives from participants (1998-2023) was conducted using grounded theory.
• Data from 45 survey responses (68.2% of distributed) and compiled narratives were analyzed for key themes.

Main Results:

• Respondents strongly agreed they learned more about themselves (mean 4.9), global health (mean 5), and medicine (mean 4.9).
• Participants reported developing crucial skills, including cultural humility and personal resilience.
• Qualitative analysis revealed two major themes: impactful experiences and transformative learning.

Conclusions:

• Preclinical global health experiential learning is both impactful and transformative for medical trainees.
• Immersive experiences broaden perspectives, enhance relational skills with diverse colleagues, and foster adaptability.
• Early exposure through established partnerships can affirm or shape careers dedicated to addressing health disparities locally and globally.