Implementation of an international medical student pen-pal club: survey outcomes of perceptions in cultural competency and global health

Background

Pen-pal clubs (PPC) are used worldwide for students to learn about different cultures and other skillsets without the need for travel. Many medical students are interested in global health opportunities abroad but costs, scheduling, and other barriers allow few to participate in such experiences. It is important that medical students have nuanced global medical perspectives and can contribute to the global medical community.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that an international medical student PPC improves medical students’ perspectives of cultural competency and global health engagement.

Methods

In 2021, a novel medical student PPC was established that began between an American and Japanese medical school. Following a shareholders meeting, it was decided that the number of medical schools involved globally be expanded through previous institutional affiliations and online presences. In total, the club connected 50 American medical students and 52 medical students from 17 high- and middle-income countries. The primary form of communication was online; pen-pals were encouraged to communicate monthly using provided topics, although frequency and way of communication was their discretion. In February 2022, American PPC members were emailed a qualitative survey to assess the PPC's impact.

Results

The survey was completed by 42% of American PPC members, 95% of which were 22‒26 years. Participants were preclinical medical students, 60% whom were female and the majority either white (47%) or Asian (43%). Overall, the PPC positively influenced American medical students’ perception of global medicine, medical education, and their cultural competency after joining the PPC compared to prior (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

PPCs encourage medical students to think from a global perspective and foster open-mindedness within varying social and cultural contexts. Having a global communication platform for students during medical school education may be an additional way to train aspiring global leaders.