Consensus on global health competencies for Korean medical students using a modified Delphi method

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to reach a consensus among experts on the global health competencies for medical students in Korea. Methods A global health competency model was developed to identify domains and competencies for medical education, and a three-round modified Delphi method was used to reach consensus among 21 experts on the essential global health competencies. The degree of convergence, degree of consensus, and content validity ratio of the model were used to reach a consensus. Results A list of 52 competencies in 12 domains were identified according to a literature review. In the first-round Delphi survey, the global health competencies were refined to 30 competencies in eight domains. In the second round, the competencies were reduced to 24. In the final round, consensus was reached among the expert panel members, and the competencies were finalized. The global health competency domains for medical students include global burden of disease (three items), globalization of health and healthcare (five items), determinants of health (two items), healthcare in low-resource settings (two items), global health governance (three items), health as a human right (four items), cultural diversity and health (three items), and participation in global health activities (two items). Conclusion The group of experts in global health achieved a consensus that 24 global health competencies in eight domains were essential for undergraduate medical education in Korea. The domains and competencies identified herein can be used to develop an undergraduate medical education curriculum in global health.