Joined-Up Thinking in Global Health Education

Abstract

Roger Worthington

The scope of global health is necessarily broad and healthcare professionals need special knowledge and skill to help them work effectively in any multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society. Without some form of training over and above traditional areas of core clinical skill, the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations could be left unmet, whether in low-middle income countries where health infrastructure is poorly developed or in high-income countries where ethnic minorities might struggle accessing the care that they need. Recognising that while healthcare provision is always subject to financial constraint, health is not a commodity to be traded, and nursing and healthcare leaders have a role to play in helping create an environment that is conducive towards enabling patients achieve optimum health. Potential barriers to achieving this include creeping commercialisation, weak systems of governance and lack of recognition for the ethical nature of much healthcare provision. The picture varies greatly between and within countries, between specialism’s and providers and between individuals. Global health education programmes should recognise the moral nature of the enterprise, which creates a need for informed leadership and robust systems of governance. Critical to raising awareness of the interconnected nature of global health is a realisation that 1) Healthcare provision is essentially a form of public service, 2) Systems of governance should be fit for purpose and work to promote patient’s best interests (above those of healthcare providers) and 3) Ethical consideration should be factored into all policy initiatives and programmes for the promotion of global health. Without these elements, policy makers could find it hard finding effective interventions to address global health problems, such as the need to reduce rates of infant mortality. Nursing and global health educators can play their part in helping to create an environment whereby leadership, governance and ethics work together in serving the interests of whole communities.

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