The Concentration in Global Health and Social Accountability is open to all Faculty of Medicine learners. The core of the updated concentration is comprised of a set of experiential learning activities that students can select and complete based on their specific interests. In response to student interest in the social determinants of health and how these relate to health inequities and healthcare needs of marginalized populations living in Canada, the scope of the concentration has been expanded to include social accountability, planetary health, and Indigenous health.
The benefits of participating in the concentration include:
- Learning about diverse global health and social accountability issues and topics
- Networking with peers and professionals who are working and studying in the field of global health and/or working to improve the health and health equity of marginalized populations in Canada
- Gaining skills and experience to advance future career prospects in related fields
Format
The format emphasizes participation in experiential learning activities and provides resources for students to undertake further optional self-directed learning.
Duration
The concentration may be completed over a period of 1-4 years.
Assessment
The assessment entails both qualitative and quantitative components based on participation in activities and student reflections on their experiences.
Qualitative: At the end of each term, students are required to submit brief (maximum half-page) reflections on their experiences of activities they participated in as they relate to competencies in global health and social accountability*. The purpose of the written reflections is to emphasize self-reflection as a critical component of professional development, cultural competency and uptake of knowledge.
Quantitative: A points system is assigned for activities based on their duration. For example, 1 point is assigned to an activity that is 1 hour to half a day in duration, 2 points for a full day activity and so on (see point value chart below).
Point value chart for identified activities of the Concentration in Global Health and Social Accountability
|
Type of Experience |
Activity |
Point Value |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Interactive |
|
20 |
|
| 20 hours with a group or organization related to global health, planetary health, social accountability or Indigenous health | 10 |
|
|
|
Fee-based |
|
2 |
The training is approximately 8 hours |
|
|
Annual SimEx humanitarian exercise |
1 point/half day |
|
|
Presentation-based |
|
1/session |
|
|
|
Global Health Journal Club presentation |
2 |
|
|
|
1/session |
||
|
|
Planetary Health Webinar Series | 1/session | |
| Faculty of Medicine IGHO Symposium | 2 (1-day conference) | ||
| Conferences and workshops with themes in global health, planetary health, social accountability, or Indigenous health | 1 point/half day | ||
|
|
Presenting on a global health, planetary health, social accountability, or Indigenous health topic at a conference |
6 |
NOTE: UGME mandatory Community Service Learning will not count toward the concentration.
Logging your activities and submitting your reflections
- Reflections should be completed within 2-week of the activity so that they are fresh in your mind
- Separate 1-page reflections will be submitted for the global health placement experience and the 20 hours with a global health or social accountability organization
- Submissions should be made via email to [email protected].
Special Requests
Requests for points toward activities not included in the above list may be considered. You must fill out the special request form before (pre-approval) or after (retroactive) your activity. You may not request points for activities that took place before your date of enrollment.
Recognition
Learners who complete a minimum of 50 points, including reflections, will receive a certificate of achievement outlining the activities they participated in. This recognition can be listed on the student’s CV.
Registration
To register in the Concentration in Global Health and Social Accountability please complete the registration form.
Resources
Global health and social accountability education resources to support learning activities
