title: Training mid- to late-career health professionals for clinical work in low-income regions abroad.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Global Health Center has developed a unique training program-Professionals' Training in Global Health (PTGH)--for mid- and late-career health professionals wanting to perform clinical services overseas in low-income countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multidisciplinary, multifaceted, structured curriculum underpins the clinical retraining, with classes aimed to be practical for clinical settings in resource-poor regions of the world. Preceptorships in family medicine and emergency medicine offer specialists the opportunity to observe primary care physicians one-on-one. In addition, PTGH trainees volunteer at free medical clinics where they work under the guidance and supervision of a family physician. For those individuals who live at some distance from Portland, Oregon, the course offers live videoconferencing, as well as archived streaming for later review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As of November 2013, 79 health professionals have completed the course, with 45 graduates having subsequently volunteered on one or more overseas medical missions, for a total of 109 medical service visits to 36 countries. Pre- and post-course testing shows improvements in clinical skills and knowledge base.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professionals' Training in Global Health has a 6-year record of interprofessional training and service both overseas and at home. The course has trained physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, midwives, paramedics and other health professionals.
authors.forename: W Andrew
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winthrop
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kravitz
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D011204:Poverty Areas; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Culture/diversity/cultural competence; global health; interprofessional education; online/computer-based education; primary care retraining