More Than Just a Passport: Resources and Implementation Strategies to Optimize Preparation for Global Health Work

During the past decade, many resources have been developed to support trainees and clinicians seeking to prepare for global health work. For time-constrained health care providers, figuring out how to prepare can be overwhelming. Given the wide variation in types of travelers and work plans, there is not a "one size fits all" preparation resource. This article offers a summary of preparation topics that all travelers should consider; compiles curated, high-yield resources designed to prepare health care providers for global health experiences; and provides implementation strategies to best meet the unique needs of each traveler, taking into consideration factors such as provider expertise (trainee vs practicing clinician), solo versus group travel, and time available before departure. These curated resources include a variety of training modalities (self-directed, group-based, train-the-trainer, and in-person courses), all summarized here to empower health care providers to create individualized, comprehensive preparation plans before engaging globally.