Massachusetts General Hospital's department of medicine sends about 30 medical residents abroad each year through various programs, according to the hospital's Center for Global Health. The hospital is among a growing number offering international experiences for medical residents, said Joanne Conroy, MD, chief health care officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges. She said as many as a fourth of residents express interest in such programs. According to the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, the percentage of graduating medical students participating in global health electives has risen from 6% to 30% in the past 25 years. The American Academy of Family Physicians lists almost 80 international programs for residents, some with rotations in several countries.
