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Paula Baraitser, Carwyn Hooper, Fawzia Gibson-Fall, Ann Wylie, Eleanor Bowen-Jones, and Amy M

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is primarily aimed at those currently studying in medical or healthcare disciplines and who are considering undertaking an International Health Elective as part of their training. You can use the hashtag #FLhealthelectives to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

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Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is primarily aimed at those currently studying in medical or healthcare disciplines and who are considering undertaking an International Health Elective as part of their training. You can use the hashtag #FLhealthelectives to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • Understanding digital professionalism
  • Working beyond competence
  • Bringing gifts and dealing with scarcity
  • The impact of language barriers
  • Global Health and the Social Determinants of Health
  • Staying safe: Managing risk inside and outside the clinical environment
  • Health infrastructures and systems
  • Voluntourism
  • Experiencing different professional cultures

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Reviews summary

Preparing for global health electives

According to learners considering international placements, this course on Preparing for an International Health Elective provides a highly relevant and essential foundation. Students appreciate its comprehensive coverage of ethics, safety, and cultural considerations, critical for global health work. The content is structured to offer practical preparation for navigating complex scenarios, including topics like digital professionalism, voluntourism, and managing risks. It seems to equip healthcare students with crucial insights into health infrastructures and social determinants of health, making it a valuable prerequisite for international experiences.
Explores cultural sensitivity and diverse professional practices.
"The discussions on language barriers and adapting to different professional cultures were highly insightful."
"The module on voluntourism offered a nuanced and critical perspective that I hadn't considered."
"It highlighted the subtle but crucial cultural aspects necessary for effective international collaboration."
Builds understanding of global health dynamics and social factors.
"The deep dive into Global Health and the Social Determinants of Health was incredibly valuable for my understanding."
"I gained clear insights into various health infrastructures and systems, which will be useful internationally."
"It truly helped me conceptualize the broader landscape of global healthcare challenges."
Provides practical strategies for personal safety in clinical settings.
"The focus on staying safe both inside and outside clinical environments was a significant benefit."
"I feel much more prepared to manage risks and respond to unforeseen challenges abroad."
"This course directly addressed my concerns about security during international health work."
Offers crucial ethical frameworks for global health practice.
"I found the guidance on working beyond competence and ethical considerations for resource scarcity particularly important."
"The module covering digital professionalism provided clear and actionable advice for my international elective."
"It extensively discussed the ethical dilemmas one might encounter, which I appreciate before my placement."
Learners might seek more specific practical or regional depth.
"I wished for more real-world case studies or practical exercises to apply the ethical concepts."
"While comprehensive, some topics could benefit from more detailed regional examples or advanced scenarios."
"It's a strong theoretical base, but for practical application, I may need to seek additional, more specialized resources."

Career center

Learners who complete Preparing for an International Health Elective: Exploring Global Health, Ethics and Safety will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 24 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Preparing for an International Health Elective: Exploring Global Health, Ethics and Safety.
A seminal work on the social determinants of health, this book argues that health inequities are a matter of social injustice. It provides a strong evidence base for understanding how social and economic factors drive health outcomes, a critical concept in global health.
Ethics are fundamental to global health practice and research. provides a solid introduction to the ethical considerations and dilemmas that arise in global health work, making it highly relevant for students and professionals. It uses case studies to explore complex ethical issues.
Emphasizes the role of political systems and policies in shaping health outcomes and creating health inequities. It argues that addressing the political determinants of health is essential for achieving health equity. This crucial read for understanding the root causes of health disparities.
Classic introduction to ethics. It clear and concise overview of the major ethical theories.
Provides a comprehensive overview of safety engineering, covering topics such as risk assessment, accident prevention, and process safety management. It is suitable for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of safety engineering.
Explores the ethical implications of advances in science and technology. It thought-provoking and challenging read that will change the way you think about the future.
Provides a comprehensive overview of safety engineering, covering topics such as risk assessment, accident prevention, and safety management. It is suitable for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of safety engineering.
Authored by leading figures in global health, this book offers a critical and interdisciplinary perspective on the field. It delves into the social, economic, and political determinants of health, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities of global health challenges. This valuable resource for both introductory and more advanced learners.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to global health, covering a wide range of topics from infectious diseases to health systems and disparities. It is designed for students and professionals and offers a well-rounded understanding of global health challenges.
Classic in medical anthropology and highly relevant to global health, particularly concerning cultural competency and health disparities. It illustrates the challenges of navigating different cultural beliefs about health and illness within a healthcare context. This book is essential for understanding the importance of cultural context in global health practice.
Offers a critical examination of the historical and ongoing impact of colonialism on global health practices and inequities. It challenges conventional approaches and encourages readers to consider the power dynamics inherent in global health work. This is particularly relevant for advanced students and professionals seeking a deeper, more critical understanding.
Paul Farmer's work consistently highlights the link between infectious diseases and social inequalities. explores how poverty and social determinants exacerbate the burden of infectious diseases globally. It's a powerful read for understanding the social justice aspects of global health.
This compelling narrative tells the story of Dr. Paul Farmer and his work in global health. While not a textbook, it provides invaluable insight into the realities of delivering healthcare in resource-limited settings and the dedication required to address health inequities. It's an inspiring read that complements more academic texts.
Understanding different health systems is crucial in global health. compares various strategies for delivering health services across different countries, providing insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different models. It useful reference for those interested in health policy and systems.
Explores the importance of self-reflection and ethical living. It wise and compassionate book that will help you to live a more meaningful life.
Examines the failure of regulation to prevent accidents and disasters, using examples from the Challenger space shuttle disaster and the Bhopal chemical plant disaster. It is suitable for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of safety regulation.
Understanding the history of pandemics is vital for comprehending current global health security challenges. offers a detailed account of the 1918 influenza pandemic, providing historical context for infectious disease outbreaks and public health responses. It's a valuable resource for historical perspective.
Published in the 1990s, this book was prescient in its discussion of emerging infectious diseases and the factors contributing to their spread. While some information may be dated, it provides valuable historical context on the challenges of pandemic preparedness and response.
Another critical look at foreign aid, this book argues that top-down, large-scale aid efforts often fail and can be harmful. It advocates for more localized and accountable approaches, relevant to discussions on the effectiveness of global health interventions.

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