Abstract:
Background Global health programs that allow
international experiences for US learners should also
enable reciprocal learning experiences for international
learners, particularly if that is a need identified by the
partner institution.
Methods A partnership between Indiana University and
Moi University, Kenya, has successfully hosted 41 visiting
Kenyan internal medicine and pediatrics registrars at
Indiana University since 2006. The program’s logistics,
curriculum, and evaluation are described.
Results The registrars rotated through nephrology,
cardiology, hematology and oncology, infectious
diseases, and intensive care, as well as related
ambulatory experiences, functioning on a level
comparable to fourth-year medical students. They
showed significant improvement in pretest and
posttest scores on a standardized National Board of
Medical Examiners examination (P 5 .048).
International learners experienced culture shock,
yet they felt the Indiana University elective was
helpful and would recommend it to future
participants.
Conclusions Global health programs can reciprocate the
benefits derived for US students and residents by
offering learning experiences to international learners if
that is an expressed need from the international partner.
Barriers to those experiences can be overcome, and the
hands-on, elective experience has the potential to
positively affect the knowledge and attitudes of
participants as well as the home nation.