What is the current global health participation and future interest of healthcare students and National Health Service (NHS) staff? A cross-sectional research study of healthcare students and NHS staff in England.

Goldstone, Ross; Hinds, Rachael; McCarthy, Rose; Byrne, Ged; Keen, David

Abstract

This research aimed to understand the prior and current global health participation, current availability of and future interest in participating in global health activities healthcare students and National Health Service (NHS) staff. An online survey was conducted on NHS staff and healthcare students in England between July and November 2021. The survey was disseminated to all secondary care providers in the English NHS and universities in England. A volunteer sample of 3955 respondents, including 2936 NHS staff, 683 healthcare students, 172 individuals combining NHS working and study and 164 respondents classified as other. Most (80%) respondents had not participated in a global health activity before, with 6% having previously participated, a further 3% currently participating and 11% unsure. Among those who had participated, the most common types of activity were attending global health events (75%). The most common reason for not participating was a limited knowledge of opportunities (78%). When asked about their future interest in global health participation, more than half of respondents (53%) indicated an interest and 8% were not interested. There was an significant proportion (39%) answering unsure, indicating a possible lack of understanding about global health participation. Global health has gathered increasing significance in recent years, both in policy and in education and training for healthcare professionals. Despite recognition of the role global learning plays in knowledge enhancement, skill development and knowledge exchange, this study suggests that global health participation remains low among NHS staff and healthcare students. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.]

Citation

Goldstone, R., Hinds, R., McCarthy, R., Byrne, G., & Keen, D. (in press). What is the current global health participation and future interest of healthcare students and National Health Service (NHS) staff? A cross-sectional research study of healthcare students and NHS staff in England. BMJ Open, 13(12), e074226. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074226

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 10, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 9, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2024
• Journal: BMJ open
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 12
• Pages: e074226
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074226
• Keywords: health education, Humans, Cross-Sectional Studies, Delivery of Health Care, England, Global Health, State Medicine, education & training (see medical education & training), Students, public health