Exploring Trainee Priorities: A Qualitative Needs Assessment to Inform Global Health Education

Background: Global health (GH) education is increasingly relevant to pediatric practice, and although prior surveys highlight strong trainee interest and persistent barriers, less is known about what motivates trainee engagement and how they define meaningful educational experiences.

Objective: To assess pediatric trainee attitudes and preferences for GH experiences to inform the creation of a GH education program.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) with pediatric residents and fellows at a single academic institution from September to November 2023. One-hour FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis through a constructivist worldview with adult learning principles as a sensitizing concept. Two coders independently analyzed transcripts, reconciling codes through discussion and reviewing themes with the full research team.

Findings: Twenty-six individuals participated in five FGDs, 81% (n = 21) of whom were residents and 65% (n = 17) international medical graduates (IMGs). Two overarching domains were identified: (1) Drivers of Engagement, encompassing themes of finding meaning in medicine, prior GH exposure, and professional development, and (2) Desired GH Experiences, which emphasized adaptability to learners, interdisciplinarity, multimodal learning, contextualization, and impact on global partners. IMGs expressed a strong sense of duty to contribute to their home countries and proposed leveraging their expertise.

Conclusions: Trainees view GH opportunities as a source of meaning and professional identity, and prefer adaptive, multimodal, contextually grounded, and impact-oriented training. IMGs’ perspectives and commitments to home communities offer opportunities to strengthen partnerships and program design. We present a conceptual model synthesizing trainee priorities and illustrating how program features can support meaningful engagement.