Health Professional Workforce Education in the Asia Pacific

Abstract

ObjectiveTo design and implement an international and interprofessional Global Learning Partnership Model, which involves shared learning between academics and students from Universitas 21 network with other universities with United Nations Millennium Development Goal needs.DesignTwo literature reviews were conducted to inform ethical aspects and curriculum design of the GLP model. Feedback from conference presentations and consultation with experts in education and public health has been incorporated to inform the current iteration of the GLP model.InterventionThe pilot group of 25 students from U21 universities and Kathmandu University, representing six health disciplines will meet in Nepal in April 2016 for a shared learning experience, including a one week university based workshop and three week community based experience.Outcome measuresA multi-phase, mixed method design was selected for the evaluation of the GLP model, utilising a combination of focus groups and questionnaires to evaluate the efficacy of the placement through student experience and learning outcomes in cultural competency, UN SDG knowledge, community engagement and health promotion skills.ResultsThe literature review demonstrated that cultural awareness and cultural knowledge were improved through participation in cultural immersion programs that incorporated preparatory workshops and clinical experiences. Data will be gathered in April 2006 and the results of the evaluation will be published in the future.ConclusionsThe GLP model proposes a project around the fundamental concept of engagement and sharing between students and academics across universities and cultural contexts to build capacity through education, while capitalising on strengths of existing global health placements. Further the inclusion of host-country students and academics in this learning exchange will promote the establishment of an international and interprofessional network for ongoing health promotion.Significance for public healthThe Global Learning Partnership model aims to contribute to the capacity building of a health workforce that is capable of working effectively in cross cultural and interprofessional health care teams. A shared public health focused global placement has the potential to catalyse collaborative relationships between educational institutions in the Asia Pacific region.

What Do University Students Know about Sustainable Development Goals? A Realistic Approach to the Reception of this UN Program Amongst the Youth Population

“…Despite not having been so studied, there are also (less-direct) links between health or technological development and the rest of the SDGs. This fact has led to the existence of initiatives aimed at promoting the cooperative work of these disciplines with the SDGs as a nexus, with research acting as a transformer lever towards educational excellence [55,56]. The reason for this difference should be studied in further works.…”

Medical knowledge exchange by crosscultural education projects: a practical approach based on a structured qualitative analysis of radiology teaching in Azerbaijan

“…Knowledge of the healthcare system is needed to bridge the gap between colleagues with different geographic and cultural backgrounds. Medical knowledge exchange between HIC and LMIC educa tion projects will benefit from initiatives to increase cultural competence of educators [28][29][30][31]. Cultural sensitivity is needed not only in the preparation and during the educational project but also afterwards.…”