Evaluation of a global health training program for pediatric residents

Background: At Children's Hospital of Michigan, an international health program was initiated in 2004. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the program in imparting knowledge to pediatric residents. Design/Methods: A pretest examining international health knowledge was administered to pediatric residents, and they were reexamined at the end of 1 year. Results: Out of 20 residents who participated in the study, 11 (55%) fully participated in the international health program, and the other 9 partially participated. The mean overall pretest score was 56% and posttest score was 65.8% (P <.004). Full participant mean pretest was 57% and posttest was 69% (P <.005). Partial participant mean pretest was 55% and posttest was 62%, no significant difference (P =.10). Birth, medical education, residency training, or work history in a developing country did not impact pretest or posttest scores. Conclusions: Despite small numbers of participants, this evaluation suggests that knowledge in international health can be expanded through a training program.