Global Health Benefits

The medical literature has illustrated the positive outcomes for student, resident, fellow and faculty involvement in global health opportunities. This type of experience is a means for physicians-in-training to learn important lessons about health disparities and cultural diversity and encourages a lifelong commitment to the service of vulnerable communities (Acad Medicine, 2010).

• Participation in global health electives is associated with increased likelihood of community service, interest in primary care fields and improved skills in problem solving and clinical examination (Acad Medicine 2003).
• Global health collaboration can be beneficial to the health of all as individuals who have access to better medical care usually are healthier.
• Moreover, physicians and other caregivers who have access to the latest knowledge in biomedical science are better equipped to deal with individual health problems as well as public health threats. (Acad Medicine 2010). Since disease respects neither national boundaries nor government mandates, a better-educated, well-trained cadre of physicians and scientists in a particular country can be more effective in preventing the spread of disease to other parts of the world. (Acad Medicine 2010).