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Table 1 Alignment of Globalization and Health Principles and American College of Physicians Positions

From: Applying global standards to short-term global health clinical experiences: the case of Project Salud y Paz

Standards and Shared Themes

Globalization and Health [1]

Geared towards organizational behavior

American College of Physicians [2]

Geared towards physician behavior

1. Appropriate recruitment, preparation and supervision of volunteers

Position 3. The ethical principle of respect for persons, including being sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, is essential to short-term global medical experience.

Position 4. Pre-departure preparation is itself an ethical obligation. It should incorporate preparation for logistical and ethical aspects of STEGHs, including the potential for ethical challenges and moral distress.

2. A host partner that defines the program, including the needs to be addressed and the role of the host community in directing and teaching the volunteers

Position 2. The ethical principle of justice requires partnering with local leaders to ensure that the potential burdens participants can place on local communities abroad are minimized and preparing for limited material resources.

Position 3. The ethical principle of respect for persons, including being sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, is essential to short-term global medical experiences.

3. Sustainability and continuity of programs

Position 5. Physicians should participate with organizations whose STEGHs are consistent with ethics and professionalism as exemplified in these Positions.

4. Respect for governance and legal and ethical standards

Position 3. The ethical principle of respect for persons, including being sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, is essential to short-term global medical experiences.

5. Regular evaluation of programs for impact

Position 1. Physicians’ primary ethical obligation in short-term global health experiences is to improve the health and well-being of the individuals and communities they visit.

6. Mutuality of learning and respect for local health professionals

Position 3. The ethical principle of respect for persons, including being sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, is essential to short-term global medical experiences.