Ramsey Alan H, Haq Cynthia, Gjerde Craig L, Rothenberg Debra
Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715-1896, USA.
Fam Med. 2004 Jun;36(6):412-6.
International health (IH) experiences are popular among medical students and may influence career choices. The International Health Fellowship Program (IHFP) consisted of preparatory coursework and field experience in a developing country. We conducted a survey 4-7 years later to assess the career influence of IHFP participation.
Fellows completed a questionnaire regarding training, practice setting, patient population, further international work, and knowledge and attitudes about IH.
Surveys were completed by 42 (70%) fellows; 31% spend most of their time working with underserved populations, 67% have been involved in community health projects, 74% practice primary care, 29% have an MPH degree, 57% have done further work in developing countries, while 90% named one or more barriers to further IH experiences. Knowledge and attitudes about IH were largely retained. Most fellows (67%) believed the IHFP influenced their careers.
Most fellows felt that IHFP participation had a positive influence on their careers. While a causative relationship cannot be inferred, fellows demonstrate a strong preference to work with underserved populations and engage in community service activities. Compared with US physicians, IHFP fellows are more likely to practice primary care and obtain MPH degrees. Medical schools that seek to produce graduates with these qualities should make efforts to increase quality IH opportunities for their students.
国际健康（IH）经历在医学生中很受欢迎，可能会影响职业选择。国际健康奖学金项目（IHFP）包括在发展中国家的预备课程学习和实地经验。我们在4至7年后进行了一项调查，以评估参与IHFP对职业的影响。
研究员们填写了一份关于培训、执业环境、患者群体、进一步的国际工作以及对IH的知识和态度的问卷。
42名（70%）研究员完成了调查；31%的人大部分时间与服务不足的人群一起工作，67%的人参与过社区健康项目，74%的人从事初级保健工作，29%的人拥有公共卫生硕士学位，57%的人在发展中国家做过进一步的工作，而90%的人指出了进一步参与IH经历的一个或多个障碍。对IH的知识和态度大多得以保留。大多数研究员（67%）认为IHFP影响了他们的职业。
大多数研究员认为参与IHFP对他们的职业有积极影响。虽然不能推断出因果关系，但研究员们表现出强烈的意愿，愿意与服务不足的人群一起工作并参与社区服务活动。与美国医生相比，IHFP研究员更有可能从事初级保健工作并获得公共卫生硕士学位。那些希望培养具有这些特质毕业生的医学院校，应该努力为学生增加高质量的IH机会。
