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Toward reciprocity: host supervisor perspectives on international medical electives
Author(s) -
Bozinoff Nikki,
Dorman Katie P,
Kerr Denali,
Roebbelen Erica,
Rogers Erin,
Hunter Andrea,
O'Shea Tim,
Kraeker Christian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1365-2923
pISSN - 0308-0110
DOI - 10.1111/medu.12386
Subject(s) - harm , context (archaeology) , kenya , medical education , reciprocity (cultural anthropology) , host (biology) , developing country , psychology , supervisor , public relations , medicine , nursing , political science , economic growth , social psychology , ecology , law , economics , biology , paleontology
Context An increasing number of medical students are engaging in international medical electives, the majority of which involve travel from northern, higher‐income countries to southern, lower‐income countries. Existing research has identified benefits to students participating in these experiences. However, reports on the impacts on host communities are largely absent from the literature. Objectives The current study aims to identify host country perspectives on international medical electives. Methods Questionnaires were delivered to a convenience sample of supervisors hosting international elective students ( n = 39) from a Canadian medical school. Responses represented 22 countries. Conventional content analysis of the qualitative data was used to identify themes in host supervisor perspectives on the impact of international medical electives. Results Host country supervisors identified that in addition to the benefits realised by the elective students, supervisors and their institutions also benefited from hosting Canadian students. Although some host supervisors denied the occurrence of any harm, others expressed concern that international elective students may negatively impact the local community in terms of resource use and patient care. Host country supervisors also identified potential harms to travelling students including health risks and emotional distress. Ideas for improving international electives were identified and were largely centred around increasing the bidirectional flow of students by establishing formal partnerships between institutions. Conclusions This research provides important insights into the impacts of international medical student electives from the perspective of host country supervisors. This research may be a starting point for further research and the establishment of meaningful partnerships that incorporate the self‐identified needs of receiving institutions, especially those in lower‐income settings.