Developing an African medical and health professions student regional elective exchange program: approaches and lessons learned

Background: Given the significant gap in International Medical Elective (IME) opportunities for African health professions students, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (ECFMG|FAIMER) launched an African regional elective exchange program through the Global Educational Exchange in Medicine and the Health Professions (GEMx) in 2016. This paper provides an overview of the development of the GEMx program, the pillars of successful implementation, and lessons learned. Methods: The authors conducted a longitudinal qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document review. Common categories were identified and incorporated into a matrix to create themes. Data were analysed using the manifest content approach guided by a literature review. Results: The key pillars for the successful implementation of the GEMx Africa regional elective exchange program included: the commitment from African training institutional networks and their member institutions, the GEMx Charter (multilateral agreement), GEMx web-based application system, GEMx Africa Regional Coordination Center in Kampala, Uganda, and ECFMG mini-grants. Conclusions: Through the development of successful partnerships across the continent, the GEMx regional elective exchange program contributed towards bridging a long-existing gap of inadequate opportunities for African health professions students to enhance their global exposure and strengthen their knowledge and skills.