We were thrilled to host the recent Johns Hopkins Medicine International Partners Forum, an annual meeting that brings together leaders, care providers and researchers from our nearly 20 affiliates in 15 countries. Looking at the past 20 years of my involvement with Johns Hopkins Medicine International when these relationships developed, this is an event I(...)
Health System Sustainability
Medical Education Across Borders
Posted by | Academic Medicine, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Medical EducationAs a Johns Hopkins faculty member, I have the privilege of teaching medical students and residents in the classroom and on the wards. I love participating in the learning process—helping students grapple with information, evaluate its potential for impact, and finally put it into play in their own careers and lives. Through my role as(...)
Brain Drain or Gain?
Posted by | Academic Medicine, Asia Pacific, Collaboration, Health Care Leadership Development, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Nurse DevelopmentHealth care professionals have always been attracted to developed countries in search of better career and educational opportunities, political stability, and greater personal freedom, among myriad other factors. However, we’ve seen this trend go up significantly in recent years. The perceived need to relocate starts early for young people who dream of becoming nurses, physicians,(...)
Accreditation Brings Rigor
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchLike me, you probably check reviews before trying a new restaurant or hotel. If we research these small decisions, it’s only logical that when it comes to big decisions like choosing a health care provider, we look for both qualitative and quantitative data to guide our choices. Accreditation is one set of standards we use(...)
Best Preparation for Worst-Case Scenarios
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient SafetyThe devastating wake of hurricanes across the United States and Caribbean. Two destructive earthquakes striking central Mexico within a two-week span. Deadly outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome across Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries in the region. Multiple terrorist attacks in Spain. These are real examples of recent emergencies affecting all corners of the(...)
Hazards of Homogeneity
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Nurse Development, Patient Care, Patient SafetyWe agree on the benefits of health care globalization: more uniform standards of patient safety, growth of telemedicine, greater access to lifesaving treatments, immediate information about care and wellness. But are we overlooking a possible drawback: the homogenization of health care? You may like knowing you can get the same Starbucks coffee whether you’re in(...)
No One-and-Done Endeavors
Posted by | Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System SustainabilityWe recently started a discussion about how institutions such as Johns Hopkins are creating international collaborative health programs to help steer us out of a global health care crisis affecting individuals, health systems and communities worldwide. We can approach collaborations to raise health standards globally in many ways. And a number of organizations—including internationally known(...)
The Future of Health Care Globalization
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Care Leadership Development, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Medical Education, Nurse Development, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchWe know what globalization means. Boundaries between countries disappear, giving way to single global markets for labor, manufacturing, finance and service. Money, goods, people, ideas and information mix in unprecedented ways, shaping our lives today and opportunities for tomorrow. But what does it mean for health care? When we talk about the globalization of health(...)
Join the Discussion on International Collaborative Health
Posted by | Academic Medicine, Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Care Leadership Development, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Medical Education, Medical Technology, Nurse Development, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchPeople everywhere want—and deserve—good health. Yet we find ourselves facing a global health care crisis. Access isn’t keeping up with demand. Costs continue to skyrocket. Treatment gets more attention than prevention. There are enormous differences by community and by country in the way health care is delivered. If we’re going to meet the challenges of(...)