Medical student electives and learning outcomes for global health: A commentary on behalf of the UK Medical Schools Elective Council. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hastings, Adrian; Dowell, Jon; Eliasz, Michael Kalmus
• Is Part Of: Medical teacher. Volume 36:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2013.849330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-159X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>Background:</bold> Electives have the potential to have a very positive impact on the professional development of medical students. Education about issues in global health is widely regarded as a neglected area in the undergraduate curricula of many medical schools. Linking learning outcomes for global health to the elective offers a possible solution that avoids adding additional teaching to crowded courses.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusion:</bold> This commentary advocates caution as many potential learning outcomes are better addressed elsewhere and setting detailed outcomes erodes the essence of the elective – student choice.</p> </abstract>