Purpose: This study aimed to reach a consensus among experts on the global health competencies for medical students in Korea. Methods: A global health competency model was developed to identify domains and competencies for medical education, and a three-round modified Delphi method was used to reach consensus among 21 experts on the essential global health competencies. The degree of convergence, degree of consensus, and content validity ratio of the model were used to reach a consensus. Results: A list of 52 competencies in 12 domains were identified according to a literature review. In the first-round Delphi survey, the global health competencies were refined to 30 competencies in eight domains. In the second round, the competencies were reduced to 24. In the final round, consensus was reached among the expert panel members, and the competencies were finalized. The global health competency domains for medical students include global burden of disease (three items), globalization of health and healthcare (five items), determinants of health (two items), healthcare in low-resource settings (two items), global health governance (three items), health as a human right (four items), cultural diversity and health (three items), and participation in global health activities (two items). Conclusion The group of experts in global health achieved a consensus that 24 global health competencies in eight domains were essential for undergraduate medical education in Korea. The domains and competencies identified herein can be used to develop an undergraduate medical education curriculum in global health.

This study investigated the current status and educational needs of global health education (GHE) at medical schools in Korea. Among the 40 medical schools nationwide, 32 schools that agreed to participate in the study collected data through a survey in 2022, and the results were examined by frequency analysis and content analysis. In total, 87.5% of medical schools included global health-related graduation outcomes. In the curriculum, global health lessons within courses were present at 71.9% of medical schools. Regarding extracurricular activities, 66.7% and 63.0% of medical schools offered overseas clerkships and overseas volunteer work, respectively. Although there were not many medical schools with a global health-related educational environment, 96.9% of schools agreed with the necessity of GHE in medical education. The prevailing opinion was that it was appropriate to continuously cover GHE as lessons within courses throughout all years of the program in medical education. The main opinions regarding the improvement of GHE related to curriculum development, personnel expansion, and awareness improvement at medical schools. These findings are expected to serve as a basis for identifying the current status of GHE at Korean medical schools and specifying future directions of GHE.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of global health education (GHE) among medical students and their involvement in global health activities and identify priorities of educational needs for developing GHE programs. Methods: This study was cross-sectional and conducted through an online survey for medical students. The participants were students attending medical schools nationwide, and the final analysis target was 678. The survey developed questionnaires necessary for research purposes regarding global health-related experiences and perceptions, level of awareness of global health competencies (GHC), and needs assessments. The data were analyzed using the frequency analysis, chi-square test, independent t-test, Borich Needs Assessment Model, and the Locus for Focus Model. Results: In total, 60.6% (411/678) agreed on the need for GHE, whereas 12.1% (82/678) agreed on the appropriateness of GHE in the current medical school curriculum, indicating a perception gap between the necessity and the status. At the current level of awareness of global health and GHC, we identified statistically significant differences according to gender, participation in global health activities, and GHE. In the analysis of the educational needs of GHC, all items of GHC had statistically significant differences between the importance level and the current level, and priorities were derived. The competency with the highest priority was domain A (Global Burden of Disease). Conclusion We expect the findings of this study to be used in Korean medical education as fundamental data to prepare a hereafter research foundation for GHE and discuss systematic GHE based on GHC.