Global Health Education in Gastroenterology Fellowship: A National Survey

Global Health Education in Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowships in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pediatric fellows across all subspecialties are interested in global health (GH). Little is known about how GH is incorporated into Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) fellowships. Our objective was to examine the current landscape of GH education in PHM fellowships.

METHODS

In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of PHM fellowship directors (FDs), current fellows, and recently graduated fellows (alumni) via e-mail and listservs. Surveys asked about GH education (curriculum, electives, and research) in PHM fellowships, barriers to GH training, and fellow interest in GH.

RESULTS

Response rates were 56% (34/61) among PHM FDs, 57% (102/178) among fellows, and 29% (59/206) among alumni. Most fellows (73%) and alumni (59%) were interested in GH electives. Although 53% of FDs reported offering GH electives, a minority of fellows (21%) and alumni (19%) reported being offered GH electives (P <.001). Few FDs reported offering a GH curriculum (9%), although most fellows (63%) and alumni (50%) expressed interest. Of the 16 FDs without GH electives, 81% planned to offer them. Cited barriers included a lack of GH curricula, insufficient funding, competing educational demands, and a lack of international partnerships. More FDs (82%) than fellows (64%) and alumni (45%) agreed that GH education improves overall fellow education (P = .01). Similarly, more FDs (75%) than fellows (56%) and alumni (38%) agreed that offering GH education improves recruitment (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

There is an unmet demand for GH education in PHM fellowships, and fellows may not be aware of GH opportunities.

Education and Training Models for Remote Learning

Our international partnerships have fostered longstanding collaborative relationships leading to the development of unique, locally-designed, and sustainable training programs that serve as models for global health education and cooperation.

Perceptions of the Inpatient Training Experience: A Nationwide Survey of Gastroenterology Program Directors and Fellows

BACKGROUND

Inpatient training is a key component of gastroenterology (GI) fellowship programs nationwide, yet little is known about perceptions of the inpatient training experience.

AIM

To compare the content, objectives and quality of the inpatient training experience as perceived by program directors (PD) and fellows in US ACGME-accredited GI fellowship programs.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, online-based survey of GI PDs and fellows at the conclusion of the 2016 academic year. We queried participants about (1) the current models of inpatient training, (2) the content, objectives, and quality of the inpatient training experience, and (3) the frequency and quality of educational activities on the inpatient service. We analyzed five-point Likert items and rank assessments as continuous variables by an independent t test and compared proportions using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Survey response rate was 48.4% (75/155) for PDs and a total of 194 fellows completed the survey, with both groups reporting the general GI consult team (>90%) as the primary model of inpatient training. PDs and fellows agreed on the ranking of all queried responsibilities of the inpatient fellow to develop during the inpatient service. However, fellows indicated that attendings spent less time teaching and provided less formal feedback than that perceived by PDs (p < 0.0001). PDs rated the overall quality of the inpatient training experience (p < 0.0001) and education on the wards (p = 0.0003) as better than overall ratings by fellows.

CONCLUSION

Although GI fellows and PDs agree on the importance of specific fellow responsibilities on the inpatient service, fellows report experiencing less teaching and feedback from attendings than that perceived by PDs. Committing more time to education and assessment may improve fellows' perceptions of the inpatient training experience.