Using Future Employers' Expectations to Inform Global Health Fellowship Curricula

ABSTRACT Background Fellowships in global health are increasingly popular and seek to equip physicians with the skills necessary to be effective global health practitioners. Little objective guidance exists on which skills make graduates competitive applicants from the perspective of potential global health employers. Objective We sought to provide objective evidence for the qualifications that make applicants competitive for global health positions by analyzing the listed qualifications for current job openings in large global health organizations. Methods The websites of 48 global health employers were systematically searched for current job postings between May and August 2017. Jobs were included for analysis if a medical degree was listed among the primary degrees accepted, and the job was based primarily in a low- or middle-income country. Results A total of 5849 employment opportunities were posted during the search period, and 81 (1.4%) of these met inclusion criteria. Twenty-two (27%) jobs required and 35 (43%) preferred a relevant master's degree. Few jobs requested a candidate with a PhD and none mentioned tropical medicine training as a requirement or preference. Twenty-three jobs (28%) required and 19 (23%) preferred candidates to speak another language. Most jobs (69%, 56 of 81) required more than 5 years of relevant experience. Only 11 (13%) jobs were primarily clinical positions. Conclusions For physicians pursuing a career in global health, most publicly searchable jobs require substantial previous experience and involvement in global health activities beyond clinical practice. Master's degree and language skills are frequently requested candidate qualifications.

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The burgeoning role of global health diplomacy to alleviate suffering of cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 231-233

Author(s):

Melissa Adomako ◽

Alaei Kamiar ◽

Abdulla Alshaikh ◽

Lyndsay S Baines ◽

Desiree Benson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Health ◽

Evidence Base ◽

International Affairs ◽

Global Health Diplomacy ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Health Diplomacy ◽

Health Practitioners ◽

And Control ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract The science of global health diplomacy (GHD) consists of cross-disciplinary, multistakeholder credentials comprised of national security, public health, international affairs, management, law, economics and trade policy. GHD is well placed to bring about better and improved multilateral stakeholder leverage and outcomes in the prevention and control of cancer. It is important to create an evidence base that provides clear and specific guidance for health practitioners in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through involvement of all stakeholders. GHD can assist LMICs to negotiate across multilateral stakeholders to integrate prevention, treatment and palliative care of cancer into their commercial and trade policies.

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A New Master's Degree in Global Health: Reflections on a 5-year Experience

Annals of Global Health ◽

10.1016/j.aogh.2015.10.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 81 (5) ◽

pp. 618 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Madhavi Dandu ◽

Kimberly Baltzell ◽

Karen Nelson ◽

Shilpa Gulati ◽

Haile T. Debas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Health ◽

Master's Degree ◽

Master’S Degree

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Oxford graduates' perceptions of a global health master's degree: a case study

Human Resources for Health ◽

10.1186/1478-4491-9-26 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Emma Plugge ◽

Donald Cole

Keyword(s):

Global Health ◽

Master's Degree ◽

Master’S Degree

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Using mobile technologies to support the training of community health workers in low-income and middle-income countries: mapping the evidence

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001421 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. e001421 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Niall Winters ◽

Laurenz Langer ◽

Promise Nduku ◽

James Robson ◽

James O'Donovan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Global Health ◽

Information Dissemination ◽

Health Workers ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Evidence Map ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries

IntroductionThis paper maps the evidence published between 2000 and 2018 on the use of mobile technologies to train community health workers (CHWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across nine areas of global healthcare, including the neglected areas of disability and mental health.MethodsWe used an evidence mapping methodology, based on systematic review guidelines, to systematically and transparently assess the available evidence-base. We searched eight scientific databases and 54 grey literature sources, developed explicit inclusion criteria, and coded all included studies at full text for key variables. The included evidence-base was visualised and made accessible through heat mapping and the development of an online interactive evidence interface.ResultsThe systematic search for evidence identified a total of 2530 citations of which 88 met the full inclusion criteria. Results illustrate overall gaps and clusters of evidence. While the evidence map shows a positive shift away from information dissemination towards approaches that use more interactive learner-centred pedagogies, including supervision and peer learning, this was not seen across all areas of global health. Areas of neglect remain; no studies of trauma, disability, nutrition or mental health that use information dissemination, peer learning or supervision for training CHWs in LMICs were found.ConclusionThe evidence map shows significant gaps in the use of mobile technologies for training, particularly in the currently neglected areas of global health. Significant work will be needed to improve the evidence-base, including assessing the quality of mobile-based training programmes.

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Student Experience Applying to Graduate School for Speech-Language Pathology

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 192-205

Author(s):

Lesley Sylvan ◽

Andrea Perkins ◽

Carly Truglio

Keyword(s):

Graduate School ◽

Master's Degree ◽

Graduate Programs ◽

Student Experience ◽

Degree Programs ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Application Process ◽

Master's Degree Programs ◽

Language Pathology ◽

Master’S Degree

Purpose The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences faced by students during the application process for master's degree programs in speech-language pathology. Method Data were collected through administering an online survey to 365 volunteers who had applied to master's degree programs in speech-language pathology. Survey questions were designed to gain the student perspective of the application process through exploration of students' deciding factors for top choices of graduate programs, emotional involvement in the application process, biases/rumors heard, student challenges, advice to future applicants, and what students would change about the application process. Results Factors that influenced participants' reasoning for selecting their “top choice” programs were largely consistent with previous studies. Issues that shaped the student experience applying to graduate school for speech-language pathology included financial constraints, concern regarding the prominence of metrics such as Graduate Record Examinations scores in the admissions process, a perceived lack of guidance and advising from faculty, and confusion regarding variation among graduate program requirements. Conclusion Gaining insight into the student experience with the application process for graduate programs in speech-language pathology yields useful information from a perspective not frequently explored in prior literature. While the data presented in this study suggest the process is confusing and challenging to many applicants, the discussion highlights practical solutions and sheds light on key issues that should be considered carefully by individual graduate programs as well as the field as a whole.

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