International child health electives for pediatric residents.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
THE VAST majority of the world's children live in developing nations, which have the highest levels of child morbidity and mortality.1 In the United States, a growing number of children are born into poverty. In addition, the United States continues to be a nation of great ethnic and cultural diversity. These facts substantially affect the orientation and skills required of pediatricians in practice today. We live in a global economy; surely we practice global medicine. Yet most pediatric residents receive little formal training in the health care needs of diverse and world populations, both in regard to the disorders seen and the cultural context within which they occur. A meaningful international child health (ICH) experience during residency is one way to provide that training.