Impacts, Learner Diversity, and Curricular Framework of a Virtual Global Health Elective Catalyzed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Maria Alonso LuacesMichelle S CochranSarah Finocchario-KesslerKimberly ConnellyBarbara J PolivkaRobin YoungGeoffrey AnguyoCharles NwobuJessica EvertPublished in: Annals of global health (2023)
Virtual global health electives effectively develop key competencies in global health. This virtual elective had a 40-fold increase in the proportion of trainees from outside the United States, compared to pre-pandemic place-based electives. The virtual platform facilitates accessibility for learners from a variety of health professions and a wide range of geographic and socioeconomic environments. Further research is needed to confirm and expand on self-reported data, and to pursue approaches to greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in virtual frameworks.