Medical education for international health. The Arizona experience

At the University of Arizona we have learned that a systematic approach to educating North Americans for international health roles makes sense. We have focused on an intensive problem-based orientation course for senior medical students and residents about to embark on a field experience. We have shared with and greatly benefited from the International Health Medical Education Consortium. The lessons learned at Arizona focus on the importance of long-term commitment and mentoring and on the direct relationship between healthcare careers internationally and among our own domestic underserved populations.