Undergraduate Medical Education
UGME Global Health Concentration
The Global Health Concentration is an optional curriculum aimed at undergraduate medical students who wish to pursue further education and training in global health. The curriculum features learning objectives that centre on seven major themes in global health. Students complete these learning objectives through didactic teaching, academic self-study, and experiential learning. The Global Health Concentration is a self-directed learning program that allows students to choose from a variety of learning materials and to select the learning styles that best suit them. Students who would like to earn a Certificate of Achievement in Global Health by completing an academic project are encouraged to use their skills and experience to present their work by various means, including photo journals, video journals, and poster presentations.
You will find further details about the Global Health Concentration in the Student Handbook, which is available in LearnMed.
For more information on the Global Health Concentration, contact the Global Health Program Coordinator at globalhealth@uOttawa.ca.
Testimonial
“This optional concentration is an excellent opportunity for MD students to gain a deeper understanding of underserved and marginalized populations in a global context,” said Dr. Melissa Forgie, Vice-Dean of UGME.
How much time do I have to complete the concentration?
You must complete the concentration during the four years of medical school, but we recommend that you complete most of the work during pre-clerkship. You will find a suggested timeline for completion in the Global Health Concentration Student Handbook.
What kind of credit will I receive?
Successful completion of the concentration will be reflected on your medical school performance record (MSPR).
There are two options for completion of the Global Health Concentration:
Option 1:Recognition for dedication to global health learning
Recognition in the medical student performance record (MSPR)
Criteria include:
1. Successful completion of Global Health Concentration curriculum
Option 2: Certificate of Achievement in Global Health
Recognition in the medical student performance record (MSPR) and certificate awarded upon graduation.
Criteria include:
1. Successful completion of Global Health Concentration curriculum
2. Successful completion and dissemination of the academic project
What are the requirements of the concentration?
- Complete the learning objectives listed in LearnMed
- Attend at least five journal club sessions and present at least once
- Complete 20 hours with an interest group related to global health, including:
- Complete a minimum two-week elective in a local, national or international global health setting and post-elective requirements
- Complete pre-departure training, including online educational modules available through the Action Global Health Network, and an in-person session.
- Complete an academic project on the experiential learning experience or global health research, and share the results of the project with appropriate audiences. (Optional for students who wish to pursue a Certificate of Achievement in Global Health)
Is the concentration available in French?
Although this concentration is not currently available in French, participants are welcome to submit their work in their preferred language. We are working toward making the concentration available in both languages.
How do I sign up for the Global Health Concentration?
- Send the following documents to the Global Health Program Coordinator:
- a CV
- A brief description of why you want to participate and your experience in global health (if any)
- Use your student credentials to log into LearnMed
- Read through the introduction page carefully
- Download and read through the Global Health Concentration Student Handbook
- Start working through the curriculum
- Send the following documents to the Global Health Program Coordinator:
How do I get involved with the Global Health Concentration?