Background: Globalisation is having profound impacts on health and healthcare.We solicited the views of a wide
range of stakeholders in order to develop core global health competencies for postgraduate doctors.
Methods: Published literature and existing curricula informed writing of seven global health competencies for
consultation. A modified policy Delphi involved an online survey and face-to-face and telephone interviews
over three rounds.
Results: Over 250 stakeholders participated, including doctors, other health professionals, policymakers and
members of the public from all continents of the world. Participants indicated that global health competence
is essential for postgraduate doctors and other health professionals. Concernswere expressed about overburdening
curricula and identifying what is ‘essential’ for whom. Conflicting perspectives emerged about the importance
and relevance of different global health topics. Five core competencies were developed: (1) diversity, human
rights and ethics; (2) environmental, social and economic determinants of health; (3) global epidemiology;
(4) global health governance; and (5) health systems and health professionals.
Conclusions: Global health can bring important perspectives to postgraduate curricula, enhancing the ability of
doctors to provide quality care. These global health competencies require tailoring to meet different trainees’
needs and facilitate their incorporation into curricula. Healthcare and global health are ever-changing; therefore,
the competencies will need to be regularly reviewed and updated.
