1. Through the Stakeholders' Eyes: An Evaluation of a Transnational Biomedical Research Training Program Advancing the Growing Practice of Global Health Education
- Author
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Kohut, Lauryn Kristine
- Abstract
Background: Influenced by "Embrace the World," Pitt's strategic plan for its global vision the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) has enhanced its involvement in transnational knowledge sharing endeavors over several decades. The School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh has been directly involved in a global health education initiative involving transnational biomedical research training and scientific skills development. The program involves hosting young Chinese medical professionals or Visiting Chinese Medical Professionals (VCMP) from Tsinghua School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China who work alongside members of the "laboratory community." Statement of Dissertation of Practice: This dissertation of practice is an evaluation of this transnational biomedical research training program. The program evaluation includes the assessment of stakeholder perspectives to identify program strengths, areas for development, opportunities, barriers, and goals. Identifying these areas helps develop an understanding of the responsiveness of the system to this transnational training program. Methods: Personal interviews and focus groups combined with secondary data analysis of the Methods and Logic in Biomedicine curriculum, exit interview surveys designed and conducted by personnel from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM), and contractual objectives were used to identify global health education practices in this transnational training program. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and barriers (SWOB) analysis was conducted. Data was coded using NVivo software. Results: Study participant groups' perspectives align and disconnect in program goals, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and barriers. Effort, generation of data, and personal development are identified as main themes in how each group defines productivity. The "laboratory community" is identified as a system supporting this transnational training program. Reported as an area for development is the espoused value of diversity and inclusion. Conclusions: This transnational training program in biomedical research is a special niche within global health education. The system supporting this program at the University of Pittsburgh has shown adaptability to challenges. Outcomes of this global health education program are the development of scientific skills sets and the evolution of a young physician scientist. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
- Published
- 2021