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Graduate public health training in healthcare of refugee asylum seekers and clinical human rights: evaluation of an innovative curriculum

International Journal of Public Health volume 61, pages 279–287 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

An innovative curriculum was developed to equip public health students with appropriate attitude and skills to address healthcare of asylum seekers.

Methods

Implemented in 2005 the curriculum included: (1) didactic sessions covering epidemiology and health sequelae of torture, asylum laws, and approaches to identify survivors’ healthcare needs; (2) panel discussions with survivors and advocates; and (3) participating in medico-legal process of asylum seeking. Complementary mixed methods evaluations included pre- and post-curriculum questionnaires, formal curriculum evaluations, final papers and oral presentations.

Results

125 students participated. Students showed improved knowledge regrading sequelae of abuse and survivors’ healthcare needs (P < 0.01), improved attitudes towards working with survivors (P < 0.05) and self-efficacy in identifying at-risk populations and addressing healthcare of survivors (P < 0.05). Students reported increased desire to pursue global health and human rights careers.

Conclusions

As an advocacy and cultural competency training in public health practice addressing healthcare of refugees domestically, this curriculum was well received and effective, and will also help students better serve other similar populations. Population case-based domestic opportunities to teach global health and health and human rights should be effectively utilized to develop a well-equipped global health corps.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Delia Burnet and Beth Charpentier for their contribution to this curriculum and its evaluation, and Bhavani Ramesh for her contribution to the curriculum evaluation.

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Affiliations

  1. Departments of Population Health and Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Ramin Asgary

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  1. Ramin Asgary
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Correspondence to Ramin Asgary.

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None.

Conflict of interest

The author reports no declarations of interest.

Ethical standard

This study received the Institutional Review Board approval from the Icahn School of Medicine, New York. 

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Cite this article

Asgary, R. Graduate public health training in healthcare of refugee asylum seekers and clinical human rights: evaluation of an innovative curriculum. Int J Public Health 61, 279–287 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0754-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0754-z

Keywords

  • Asylum seeker
  • Curriculum
  • Public health students
  • Health human rights