International medical electives for medical students at a German university: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data

Ralf Weigel; Lara Wiegand; Stefanie Balzereit; Michael Galatsch

doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihab009

International medical electives for medical students at a German university: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data

Int Health. 2021 Mar 3;ihab009. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ralf Weigel^{1

2}, Lara Wiegand¹, Stefanie Balzereit¹, Michael Galatsch^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Alfred-Herrhausen Street 50, 58448 Witten, Germany.
² Friede Springer endowed professorship for global child health, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Alfred-Herrhausen Street 50, 58448 Witten, Germany.

PMID: 33684210
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab009

Abstract

Background: International medical electives (IMEs) are entry points to global health opportunities. IME uptake at German universities is unclear. We analyse 14 y of IME.

Methods: Student registry data were collected. Univariate linear regression examined relationships between enrolment year and IMEs.

Results: The median (IQR) number of IMEs of all enrolment years was 54 (32-80) and 51 (38-67)% of all students took an IME. Enrolment year significantly predicted IME frequency and the proportion of students taking IMEs.

Conclusions: Student interest in IMEs is increasing. Universities should invest more broadly in IME opportunities for student, faculty and university enrichment.

Keywords: global health; medical education; medical students.