Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41151961›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Host perceptions of an undergraduate semester abroad: strengthening partnerships in global health education.

Myriam Vuckovic, Joseph Mulinge, Stephen Ledet, Margaret Baker

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Myriam VuckovicDepartment of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA mv225@georgetown.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2317-6872
Joseph MulingeDepartment of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Stephen LedetThe University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5388-7790
Margaret BakerDepartment of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAs global health education becomes more embedded in university curricula, the availability of experiential learning opportunities in this field has expanded as well. These programmes offer students valuable exposure to diverse cultural perspectives and help develop essential competencies in global health. However, concerns have arisen regarding the persistence of colonial-era dynamics, power imbalances and the potential negative impacts on host organisations in low- and middle-income countries. Much of the existing literature on this topic centres on short-term medical student experiences and is focused on the perspectives of the sending organisations. This study aims to fill this gap by examining a semester-long undergraduate global health experiential learning programme through the perspectives of host organisation staff.

designThis qualitative case study draws on interviews with 18 key informants from host organisations across seven countries. The research design, data collection and analysis were developed using an analytical framework based on recommendations made by previous studies.

settingHost organisations across seven countries participated in the study. Interviews were conducted remotely via Zoom. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded in Dedoose software and analysed for emerging patterns and themes.

participantsEighteen key informants from host organisations were interviewed, representing seven countries - Tanzania, Ghana, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Australia and the Philippines - and a range of institutions including research institutes, government agencies and UN bodies.

resultsParticipants generally viewed their engagement in experiential learning courses positively. They emphasised the importance of their role in mentoring American and other foreign global health students, building their research skills and cultural competency, and providing valuable insights into power dynamics, local health systems and the wider context in which global health operates. Beyond financial remuneration, participants emphasised multiple non-financial benefits for host organisations. The study identified three key themes in developing strong programmes: partnership, communication and cultural competence. These findings reinforce the value of longer-term programmes and offer actionable recommendations for their continued evolution in global health education.

Indexed as

Education, Medical, UndergraduateGlobal HealthInternational Educational ExchangeProblem-Based LearningCultural CompetencyCurriculumDeveloping CountriesGhanaHumansInterviews as TopicQualitative ResearchEDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training)Health EquityPUBLIC HEALTHQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID41151961
PMCPMC12570938

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.