What Is the Current Status of Global Health Training for US Postgraduate Trainees in Anesthesiology? What Are Possible Visions for the Future?

Purpose of review: There is a great deal of interest in global health at all levels of educational attainment. Many residency programs wish to offer a global health opportunity (GHO) but lack the resources to create one de novo. This review will look at the prevalence of global health education in residency and consider the fellowships available. It will summarize the existing recommendations about a curriculum in global health and how best to prepare trainees for a GHO.

Recent findings: While approximately 45% of residency programs make GHOs available to their residents, there is a lack of standardization of curriculum. Logistical and ethical challenges, funding, and the lack of international partners are all barriers to offering a GHO. Residents and fellows can benefit from a GHO as it helps achieve their ACGME core competencies, among other benefits.

Summary: We make the recommendation for more robust training and education with the investment of fewer resources by aligning with existing global health participation opportunities. We also recommend the use of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) which provided curriculum for creating a context in global health for trainees regardless of discipline.