661 - Assessing the Impact of Global Health Electives on Pediatric Career Paths Through Surveys of Graduated Residents

Publication Number: 3640.661

Anita Pillai, Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY, United States; Ronak Patel, Cohen Children's Medical Center/Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, United States; Kelly Murphy, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, United States; Rubab Sohail, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, United States; Isabella Yu, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, United States; Tabetha Garver-mosher, Northwell Health, New York, NY, United States

Background: Global Health electives (GHE) provide residents opportunities to expand clinical knowledge, enhance physical exam skills without relying on diagnostic tests, and increase cultural humility. Participation in GHE can influence a pediatrician’s career choice to provide care in resource-limited settings (RLS). For those who do not pursue a career in Global Health (GH), the experience is still beneficial, offering insights into challenges of RLS and the importance of equitable, community-based care. GHE foster adaptability and cultural sensitivity that extends beyond the elective experience.

Objective: Our survey explored how participation in GHE during pediatric residency impacted career choices, if alumni pursued GH work post residency, how GHE shaped them as physicians, and what barriers limit GH work.

Design/Methods: An IRB-approved REDCap survey was sent to 50 alumni who completed a GHE during pediatric residency since 2016. The survey included questions on demographics, impact of GHE experiences on career paths, and current participation in GH.

Results: The response rate was 56%. Respondent demographics and post graduation summary results can be found in Table 1. Over half were raised in immigrant/refugee households (57.1%). The most common electives were Kenya (64.3%) and North Dakota (42.9%). A majority (57.1%) currently work at academic medical centers, and 32.1% are in fellowship. While 14.3% have participated in GH since residency, 60.7% plan to pursue it.
Nearly all agreed GHE enhanced their clinical skills, including diagnostic reasoning, adaptability, and comfort with uncertainty. Many reported stronger leadership skills, teaching, advocacy, cultural humility, and greater awareness of social determinants of health. Alumni reported reliance on clinical judgment rather than diagnostic imaging. Barriers to GH engagement included lack of opportunity, time constraints, and ongoing training demands, particularly in fellowship. Alumni described applying GH principles in domestic work with underserved populations. Many expressed intent to pursue GH work in the future.

Conclusion(s): GHE shape career paths and clinical practice. Even without pursuing GH careers, participants gain skills supporting culturally sensitive, resource-conscious, equity-driven care. GHE continues to be a formative and influential part of residency training.
Our findings reinforce the importance of offering GHE within residency programs. These experiences enhance not only clinical skills, but also leadership, advocacy and cultural humility, all essential skills for pediatricians working in increasingly diverse health systems.

Demographic and Post-Graduation Summary of Participants
Table 1.pdfTable 1