Acad Med. 2012 Feb;87(2):139-41. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e31823feae6.
Interest in international health is growing, and international electives have become increasingly popular among medical students and residents. Subspecialty fellowships have so far been excluded from this growing popularity, but as health care indicators improve in low-income countries (LIC), a role in global health initiatives for subspecialty fellows is imminent. Improvements in patient care made in one subspecialty can carry over to other areas of health care or can represent models for the development of the health care system. In this commentary, the authors argue that global health training during subspecialty fellowships, including international electives, both represents a moral imperative and matches the goals defined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Although international electives pose complex ethical, personal, financial, organizational, and cultural issues, to mention a few, subspecialty fellows can significantly contribute to clinical activity, provide education to colleagues and other allied health care professionals, conduct research, and help establish collaborations in LIC settings. At the same time, they gain a diverse clinical experience as well as a better understanding of cultural diversity, which will be applicable in their local practice and community. Global health training in subspecialty fellowships represents a valuable learning opportunity for both sides of international partnerships.
人们对国际健康的兴趣日益浓厚，医学生和住院医师越来越热衷于参加国际选修课程。专业研究员奖学金目前还没有受到这种日益普及的影响，但随着低收入国家（LIC）的医疗保健指标的改善，专业研究员在全球健康计划中的作用迫在眉睫。一个专科的患者护理的改善可以延伸到其他医疗保健领域，或者可以代表医疗保健系统发展的模式。在这篇评论中，作者认为，在专科研究员奖学金期间进行全球健康培训，包括国际选修课程，既是道德的必然要求，也符合加拿大皇家内外科医学院定义的目标。尽管国际选修课程带来了复杂的伦理、个人、财务、组织和文化问题等，专科研究员可以为临床活动做出重大贡献，为同事和其他医疗保健专业人员提供教育，开展研究，并帮助在 LIC 环境中建立合作关系。与此同时，他们获得了多样化的临床经验以及对文化多样性的更好理解，这将适用于他们在当地的实践和社区。专科研究员奖学金中的全球健康培训为国际合作的双方提供了宝贵的学习机会。
