Topics for Abstract Submission

Clinical Topics in Global Family Medicine

Historically, global health was synonymous with exotic infections. More recently, the chronic diseases of affluence have surpassed these as taking the largest toll of life abroad. This theme consists of didactic sessions focusing on the exotic diseases that are indeed still encountered abroad, as well as the diagnosis and management of common and chronic diseases in resource-limited environments. Public health and prevention are also important here. Innovative approaches to patient care in the absence of technology, repair and maintenance of equipment (medical and other), and other aspects of medical logistics fall under this theme. These sessions are very practical and to-the-point, enlightening the newcomer and updating the experienced global health physician.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Degree to which there is a need for education in the topic area, including prevalence of the condition, new developments, and overall timeliness of topic.
2. Expertise of presenter to present in topic area.
3. Organization of lecture and ability of presenter to impart learning objectives and content effectively.

Equity, Anti-racism, and Decolonialization

It is possible for well-intentioned global health activities to paradoxically fragment health systems and disempower leaders and patients in global settings.  Partnerships are ideally bidirectional engagements and support the priorities and needs of the international partner.  Intentional work is needed to reframe our global activities in order to disrupt historic patterns of colonialism.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Potential impact of the activity.
2. Degree to which session provides new insights in program design to attendees.
3. Overall relevance of program design to Global Health Summit audience.

The Evolution of Global Family Medicine

Family Medicine as a discipline offers solutions to many of the world's healthcare challenges such as access, quality, cost-effectiveness, integration rather than fragmentation, and equity. For this reason, Family Medicine is increasingly being adopted in countries across the globe where the discipline did not previously exist. This theme addresses how Family Medicine has evolved abroad as a response to requests for assistance implementing the discipline in other nations. Not merely transplanting the US model abroad, but rather discovering and developing sustainable, self-propagating, indigenous models of Family Medicine is the goal. Topics include community and health system assessment, initiating Family Medicine training at the pre-doctoral and graduate medical education levels, retraining other specialists into the discipline, faculty development, interacting policy-makers and implementers, governmental and NGO stakeholders, political challenges and opportunities. Presentations on this theme include both the philosophical and the pragmatic considerations on the larger scale: regional and national levels.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Degree to which the activity reported or perspective offered is significant and relevant to Global Health Summit attendees.
2. Degree to which the activity or perspective is novel or innovative.
3. Degree of potential impact of the activity or perspective.
4. Diversity of presentations at Global Health Summit with regard to geographic areas or types of Family Medicine expansion/integration.

Integrating Global Health into Medical Education and Practice

This theme examines the wide variety of ways in which family physicians integrate global health into their practice. Session topics include global health program design, implementation, and evaluation. This may involve issues that occur within our own borders and encompass the local practice of global health ("GLOCAL") in settings with striking similarities to those abroad: such as rural and inner-city communities, and patients that are medically underserved, immigrants, and refugees. Finally, this theme includes sessions that demonstrate an innovative curricular design for incorporating the principles of global health into medical and resident education.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Degree to which session provides new insights in program design to attendees.
2. Degree to which program design and implementation has been completed and evaluated.
3. Potential impact of the activity.
4. General reproducibility and applicability to other contexts.
5. Overall relevance of program design to Global Health Workshop audience.