Preparing Veterinary Medical Students for Careers in Global Health

Background: The emergence and rapid cross-geopolitical boundary spread of zoonotic pathogens and other complex health crises of global import has catalyzed the development of educational and training programs designed to prepare US health professional students for careers in global health. Schools and colleges of veterinary medicine have responded to these crises by increasing opportunities for veterinary medical students to receive education and training in international settings.

Academic deans and other knowledgeable Individuals from U.S. veterinary medical schools with international veterinary medicine education and training programs were interviewed to ascertain the objectives, nature, and outcomes of those programs. Results: Global health educational and training opportunities have increased markedly in recent years. Offerings range from elective courses held in international settings to programs that offer postgraduate certificates in International Veterinary Medicine, and training opportunities range from short-term placements established through informal means to formal, long-term training programs such as the Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars program. Conclusions: U.S. schools and colleges of veterinary medicine have responded to global health crises by developing opportunities for their students to obtain education and training in global health. These opportunities highlight specific skills appropriate to international work, such as cultural sensitivity and overcoming the challenges of working in resource-poor settings; they also offer students opportunities to tackle pathogens and situations largely unknown in the United States. Other opportunities that have long been available to medical and other health professional students now recognize the value of including veterinary medical students among their applicants.