International service and public health learning objectives for medical students.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to improve the education of medical students involved in a longitudinal perinatal health improvement project in Gowa, Malawi.
DESIGN: We conducted qualitative interviews with students who participated in the project, reviewed their quantitative reports, and assessed the application of methodologies consonant with the learning objectives of a novel community health improvement course within their experience.
SETTING: The Gowa Health Promotions Project, designed to improve perinatal care for women and their families within the Gowa Health Clinic, used community participatory research strategies.
METHOD: Medical students partnered with clinic workers and the local residents, evaluated, and revised an existing perinatal educational program. Qualitative and quantitative health and program data were collected, and program revisions were implemented. The value of the student experiences as a public health educational tool was evaluated by the authors.
RESULTS: Project sustainability was enhanced by a fellowship and planning for sequential students. The community health course structure and goals enhanced learning in the project. Engagement of investigators as early as possible in an international public health enhancement project improves student learning and ongoing commitment.
CONCLUSION: Service learning objectives aimed at providing valuable medical learning to student learners immersed in other cultures are consistent with evidence-based learning objectives in the field of public health. Proactively structuring this experience to explicate these goals can enhance student learning. This dual strategy may improve the sustainability of international health programs by educating medical students while leading them into careers where these skills will be leveraged.