Global health education in China’s medical schools: A national cross-sectional study

Despite China’s large and growing global presence, data about global health (GH) education (GHE) in China’s medical schools are limited. We aimed to describe GHE in these schools and determine whether some may teach GH concepts without labeling them as such.

In 2019, 161 Chinese medical schools eligible for accreditation by the Ministry of Education were invited to complete a questionnaire as part of a national survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, Chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, and logit models.

Approximately 57% of schools completed the survey (n = 93). 33 (35.5%) indicated that GHE was included in the curriculum. Although the majority of responding schools reported the absence of GH in the curriculum, GH topics were identified at many institutions. Schools affiliated with the central government or an aspiring world-class university were more likely to report the inclusion of GHE and offered more opportunities at international away sites.

Chinese medical schools are frequently teaching GH topics, but may not label the instruction as such. Policy-makers and educators should be equipped with a global perspective to facilitate GHE at China’s medical schools and take measures to address differences between schools.