CROSSING BORDERS: A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY ON INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

ABSTRACT The number of international students enrolled in medical schools worldwide continues to rise. In response to the growing shortage of healthcare personnel, many countries are expanding enrollment in health-related disciplines to meet national healthcare demands. This expansion has led to an increasing influx of international students into medical programs, including those in the United States. While International Medical Students (IMSs) share many challenges faced by domestic students, they also encounter unique cultural, financial, and psychosocial stressors. This dissertation examines these challenges and the support systems IMSs utilize across five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces and reviews existing literature on IMSs, focusing on their challenges and support systems, and provides some context about studying medicine in the United States. Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of research exploring how psychosocial support systems and resources shape IMSs’ experiences in medical school. Chapter 3 outlines the methodology for an original grounded theory study. Chapter 4 presents the findings of this original grounded theory study, offering an in-depth understanding of IMSs’ experiences and practices in U.S. medical schools and generating a theoretical framework to guide the development of more responsive institutional policies and support initiatives. Finally, Chapter 5 discusses the implications of these findings for IMSs, medical schools, and healthcare providers who interact with or support these learners.