Medical Students' Reflections on Cultural Uncertainty During an International Global Health Program: A Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Global Health
• Cultural Competency

Background:

• Over 40% of US medical schools incorporate global health curricula.
• These programs aim to improve students' cultural awareness by exposing them to diverse populations and health inequities.
• This study investigates changes in medical students' values and perspectives during immersive global health experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how medical students describe changes in values, beliefs, and professional perspectives.
• To understand the impact of immersive global health experiences within a structured program.
• To identify key developmental shifts in medical trainees engaged in global health.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of reflective journals from 52 medical students in the Global Health Scholars Pathway (GHSP).
• Students completed month-long international clinical electives at seven diverse global sites.
• Thematic analysis of journal entries focused on intercultural uncertainty and foreignness.

Main Results:

• Student reflections identified nine categories of response to cultural difference.
• These were synthesized into three domains: Cultural Humility, Intrapersonal Resilience, and Realignment of Medical Motivations and Perspectives.
• Students reported increased adaptability, emotional awareness, and a reconsideration of professional priorities.

Conclusions:

• Global health curricula with structured reflection foster the development of culturally responsive clinicians.
• Immersive experiences promote adaptability, emotional awareness, and a realignment of medical motivations.
• Further research should explore the transferability and long-term impact of these programs on clinical practice.