%0 Journal Article
%T Assessing and Comparing Global Health Competencies in Rehabilitation Students
%A Mirella Veras
%A Kevin Pottie
%A Debra Cameron
%A Govinda P. Dahal
%A Vivian Welch
%A Tim Ramsay
%A Peter Tugwell
%J Rehabilitation Research and Practice
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/208187
%X Purpose. Globalization is contributing to changes in health outcomes and healthcare use in many ways, including health professionals¡¯ practices. The objective of this study was to assess and compare global health competencies in rehabilitation students. Method. Online cross-sectional survey of physiotherapy and occupational therapy students from five universities within Ontario. We used descriptive statistics to analyze students¡¯ perceived knowledge, skills, and learning needs in global health. We used Chi-square tests, with significance set at , to compare results across professions. Results. One hundred and sixty-six students completed the survey. In general, both physiotherapy and occupational therapy students scored higher on the ¡°relationship between work and health,¡± ¡°relationship between income and health,¡± and ¡°socioeconomic position (SEP) and impact on health¡± and lower on ¡°Access to healthcare for low income nations,¡± ¡°mechanisms for why racial and ethnic disparities exist,¡± and ¡°racial stereotyping and medical decision making.¡± Occupational therapy students placed greater importance on learning concerning social determinants of health ( ). Conclusion. This paper highlights several opportunities for improvement in global health education for rehabilitation students. Educators and professionals should consider developing strategies to address these needs and provide more global health opportunities in rehabilitation training programs. 1. Introduction Globalization has become a key word in the 21st century and is defined here as ¡°the ways in which nations, businesses, and people are becoming more connected and interdependent across national borders through increased economic integration, communication, cultural diffusion, and travel¡± [1]. Indeed, globalization has influenced health determinants and changed health outcomes [1]. The social determinants of health (SDH), including health services, are influenced by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels [2¨C4]. In addition, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions as well as complex emergencies including war, civil strife, and food shortages are now considered global problems which have a considerable impact on population health worldwide [5]. Evidence shows that such calamities have progressively increased the number of deaths, illnesses, and disabilities and, therefore, the economic costs of treatment and rehabilitation [5]. For instance, the earthquake that occurred in Haiti in 2010 resulted in extensive infrastructure
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/rerp/2013/208187/