Essential IMG Residency Guide: Building a Global Health Research Profile

Why Research Matters for IMGs Interested in Global Health

For an international medical graduate (IMG) targeting global health–oriented residency programs, a strong research profile is not optional; it is one of the most effective ways to stand out.

Programs with a global health residency track (in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN, etc.) are usually based in academic centers that value:

• Evidence-based practice
• Population-level impact
• Health systems and policy thinking
• Longitudinal commitment to underserved communities

Research is the clearest, standardized signal that you can:

• Frame a problem clearly
• Work systematically and ethically
• Analyze data and draw valid conclusions
• Communicate in written and oral formats
• Follow through on complex, long-term projects

For many IMGs, especially those without U.S. clinical experience, a robust research track record can:

• Compensate partly for gaps in U.S. experience
• Demonstrate your interest in international medicine and global health beyond vague statements
• Provide strong letters of recommendation from academic mentors
• Show that you can function in the culture of U.S. academic medicine

This article is an IMG residency guide specifically focused on research profile building for those pursuing global health. It will help you understand where you are now, what you realistically can achieve before applying, and how to strategically prioritize research activities and publications for match.

---

Understanding What Counts as “Research” for Global Health–Focused IMGs

Not all research looks like randomized controlled trials or bench science. Global health–oriented programs recognize a wide spectrum of scholarly work.

1. Core Types of Research Valued in Global Health

1. Clinical Research

   • Example: Outcomes of tuberculosis patients in a regional hospital
   • Methods: Retrospective chart reviews, prospective cohorts, clinical trials, registries
   • Why it matters: Links directly to patient care and health systems

2. Epidemiology and Population Health

   • Example: Prevalence of hypertension in a rural community and its risk factors
   • Methods: Cross-sectional surveys, case-control studies, cohorts, surveillance data
   • Why it matters: Fundamental to understanding disease burden and setting priorities

3. Implementation Science / Health Systems Research

   • Example: Evaluating the rollout of a vaccination program in resource-limited settings
   • Methods: Mixed methods, process evaluations, quality improvement (QI)
   • Why it matters: Shows you understand how to move from evidence to practice

4. Global Health Policy and Health Economics

   • Example: Cost-effectiveness of community health worker programs
   • Methods: Modeling, policy analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis
   • Why it matters: Connects frontline care to policy decisions, very valued in global health tracks

5. Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research

   • Example: Interviews with community health workers about barriers to maternal care
   • Methods: In-depth interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis
   • Why it matters: Highlights cultural understanding, context, and patient perspectives

6. Quality Improvement (QI) and Program Evaluation

   • Example: Increasing HIV testing rates in an outpatient clinic
   • Methods: PDSA cycles, run charts, pre–post intervention designs
   • Why it matters: Many programs consider QI as research or scholarly activity if rigorous

2. What ERAS and Program Directors Recognize as Research

In the ERAS application, and in the eyes of program directors, “research” includes:

• Peer-reviewed original research articles
• Systematic or narrative reviews
• Case reports and case series (especially with global health relevance)
• Abstracts and posters at conferences
• Oral presentations at meetings
• Book chapters, clinical guidelines, or policy briefs
• Significant QI projects with data and formal presentation
• Public health project reports, if methodologically sound

Even if you come from a resource-limited setting, you can build a cumulative research story across these categories.

---

How Many Publications Do IMGs Need? Quality vs Quantity

A frequent question is: how many publications needed to match into a globally oriented Internal Medicine or Family Medicine program?

1. No Single “Magic Number,” but Clear Patterns

There is no strict threshold that guarantees a match. However, trends from NRMP data and program director surveys (up to 2024) suggest:

• Many successful IMGs have at least 1–3 peer-reviewed publications.
• Those with strong academic interest or aiming for highly academic centers often have 3–8 total scholarly items (publications + abstracts + presentations).
• For global health–specific tracks, topic relevance can be more important than sheer count.

Programs care more about:

• Consistency: Have you been engaged in research over time, or is there a single isolated project?
• Role and responsibility: Did you design the study, lead data collection, analyze, write, or only help with data entry?
• Relevance: Does the research connect to global health, underserved populations, or health disparities?
• Output: Did the work lead to a poster, presentation, or publication?

2. Example Profiles

Profile A: Strong Global Health Research Focus

• 2 original articles (1 on TB; 1 on maternal mortality)
• 1 narrative review on health system barriers in low-income countries
• 2 posters at international/global health conferences
• 1 QI project improving vaccination rates in a refugee clinic

This profile tells a cohesive story: clear interest in global health and underserved care, multiple methods, multiple outputs.

Profile B: General Research but Limited Global Health Link

• 4 case reports in cardiology
• 1 basic science paper in oncology
• 1 poster on MRI imaging techniques

This is academically solid, but unless the applicant explains connections to international medicine (e.g., technology access, non-communicable diseases in low-resource settings), it may not signal true global health commitment.

Takeaway: Aim for at least 1–3 tangible outputs, but prioritize thematic consistency with global health and depth of involvement over hitting an arbitrary number.

---

Strategic Steps to Build a Competitive Global Health Research Profile

Step 1: Clarify Your Global Health Focus

“Global health” is broad. Programs appreciate specificity. Reflect on:

• Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, Middle East, etc.
• Themes: Infectious disease, NCDs, maternal-child health, health systems, humanitarian emergencies, migration and refugees, climate and health
• Populations: Refugees, rural poor, urban slum communities, Indigenous groups, migrants

Define a narrative thread:
For example, “I am an international medical graduate from Nigeria interested in hypertension and cardiovascular disease in low-resource settings, and health systems approaches to improve continuity of care.”

Once you articulate a theme, you can choose projects that align and reinforce your story.

---

Step 2: Find Mentors and Networks That Support IMGs

As an IMG, your biggest challenge is often access, not motivation. You need mentors who:

• Understand the residency application process
• Are actively publishing
• Have global health or international medicine experience
• Are open to working with IMGs (often remotely)

Where to Look for Mentors

1. Your Home Institution (Medical School or Hospital)

   • Public health, community medicine, epidemiology, or infectious disease departments often have ongoing projects.
   • Ask faculty:
     “I’m interested in global health research and residency in the U.S. Do you have current projects or collaborators abroad where I can contribute, even remotely?”

2. U.S. or European Academic Centers with Global Health Programs

   • Many universities list global health faculty and projects on their websites.
   • Focus on those with a global health residency track or a Global/International Health Center.
   • Send concise, targeted emails including:
     • Who you are (medical graduate from X)
     • Your specific interest (e.g., maternal-child health in low-resource settings)
     • Any prior research skills
     • A concrete ask: “Would you consider having me assist with data analysis, literature review, or manuscript preparation on any ongoing projects?”

3. Global Health Organizations and NGOs

   • Examples: Partners In Health, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), local NGOs.
   • Some have evaluation or program research arms and partner with universities.
   • You might join as a volunteer, intern, or research assistant.

4. Online Research Collaboratives

   • Global health research networks, student/trainee groups, or tele-research platforms.
   • Many IMGs find virtual roles doing systematic reviews, data abstraction, or manuscript editing.

How to Approach Mentors Effectively

• Subject line: specific and respectful
  “Prospective IMG collaborator interested in TB outcomes study”
• Email body (10–12 lines max):
  • Who you are
  • Why you’re interested in their work (1–2 sentences, referencing a specific paper)
  • Your skills: literature search, data entry, SPSS/R/Stata, basic stats, writing
  • Time you can commit weekly
  • A simple, low-pressure ask: “If there are any ongoing projects where I could assist with data or literature review, I would be honored to contribute.”

Attach:

• Short CV (1–2 pages)
• Any previous abstracts/publications, if available

Persistence matters: expect many non-responses. Systematically email multiple potential mentors, respectfully and professionally.

---

Step 3: Start with Feasible, High-Yield Project Types

If you don’t have a lab or a funded large-scale project, certain research formats are more feasible for IMGs:

1. Case Reports & Case Series (Especially with Global Health Angle)

• Identify unusual presentations or management in resource-limited settings.
• Examples:
  • Rare infections in HIV-positive patients in your region
  • Complications from unsafe abortions
  • Advanced-stage cancers due to delayed access
• Follow CARE guidelines for case reports.
• Align with journals that publish global health case reports or open-access case series.

These are relatively fast projects (weeks to months), suitable early in your research journey.

2. Narrative or Systematic Reviews on Global Health Topics

• Narrative review (faster, more flexible)
  • Example topics:
    • Barriers to hypertension care in Sub-Saharan Africa
    • Telemedicine in low and middle-income countries (LMICs)
    • Maternal mortality interventions in rural South Asia
• Systematic review (more rigorous, takes longer)
  • Requires protocol, clear inclusion criteria, possibly registration (e.g., PROSPERO)
• You can often do these entirely remotely:
  • Use PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar
  • Screen abstracts, extract data, synthesize results
• These projects showcase:
  • Your grasp of the literature
  • Ability to write and synthesize evidence
  • Direct relevance to international medicine

3. Retrospective Chart Reviews

If you have access to a hospital:

• Choose a topic with:
  • Sufficient case volume
  • Clinical or health-systems relevance
• Examples:
  • Outcomes of severe malaria cases in your hospital
  • Patterns of antibiotic use and resistance
  • Obstetric complications in a district hospital
• Steps:
  • Secure IRB/ethics approval
  • Define clear inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Create a data collection form
  • Perform basic statistical analysis
• Even modest descriptive studies can be publishable, especially if there is limited data from your region.

4. Quality Improvement Projects with Robust Measurement

• Example:
  • Increasing prenatal visit rates in a community clinic
  • Reducing missed TB follow-up appointments
• Use PDSA cycles:
  • Plan: define the problem and intervention
  • Do: implement
  • Study: measure pre- and post-intervention outcomes
  • Act: refine and scale
• Present your QI work at local or national meetings; some global health and primary care journals publish QI in resource-limited settings.

---

Step 4: Learn Core Research Skills Efficiently

You do not need a formal MPH to be taken seriously. You can gain strong, functional skills with focused, self-directed learning.

Essential Skills to Demonstrate

• Literature searching (PubMed, MeSH, keyword strategies)
• Critical appraisal of studies (understanding bias, study design)
• Basic statistics:
  • Descriptive stats
  • Common tests (t-test, chi-square, logistic regression basics)
• Data management (Excel, REDCap, or basic database tools)
• Scientific writing and structure (IMRaD: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)
• Adherence to reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, etc.)

Where to Learn

• Free courses:
  • Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn have courses on epidemiology and biostatistics.
  • WHO, CDC, and other agencies offer online public health training modules.
• Textbooks:
  • “Essentials of Epidemiology” or similar introductory texts
  • Basic biostatistics texts with clinical examples
• Workshops:
  • Many universities offer online short courses or webinars open to external participants.

Allocate consistent time—3–5 hours per week—for skill-building while working on one or two actual projects so that learning directly supports output.

---

Step 5: Convert Research Work into Concrete Outputs for ERAS

Many IMGs contribute to projects but fail to transform them into tangible products that residency programs can see.

Prioritize Output Pathways

1. Manuscripts (Peer-Reviewed Articles)

   • Aim to get at least 1–3 papers submitted before ERAS if possible.
   • Target journals:
     • Global health or regional journals
     • Specialty journals with global health or international sections
     • Open-access journals with fair peer review

2. Conference Abstracts and Posters

   • Submit to:
     • Global health conferences
     • Specialty conferences (ID, IM, FM, EM, etc.)
     • Local/national scientific congresses in your home country
   • Even if you cannot attend in person, you can often still be listed as a co-author or presenter.

3. Oral Presentations

   • Departmental grand rounds
   • Hospital research days
   • Global health seminars (in person or virtual)
   • Mention these clearly in ERAS under “Presentations.”

4. Non-Traditional but Valuable Outputs

   • Policy briefs for local health authorities (if substantial and evidence-based)
   • Technical reports for NGOs
   • Contributions to clinical guidelines (e.g., local TB protocols)

Make sure that each project:

• Has clearly defined authorship
• Results in at least one presentable product (poster, abstract, manuscript)

---

Integrating Research Into Your Residency Application Strategy

Research is one pillar among many; integrate it thoughtfully with clinical experiences and personal storytelling.

1. Align Research with Your Personal Statement

Use your research to demonstrate your commitment, not just state it.

Instead of:
“I am passionate about global health and wish to work with underserved communities.”

Write something like:
“During my final year, I led a retrospective study of maternal mortality at my district hospital in Kenya, which revealed that over 40% of deaths were associated with delayed referral. This experience taught me that global health is fundamentally about strengthening systems, not just individual clinical decisions. It shaped my goal of training in a residency with a dedicated global health residency track so I can learn to design, evaluate, and scale interventions for similar settings.”

Tie your actual research experiences into a coherent vision for your career.

2. Use Research to Strengthen Letters of Recommendation

Mentors who supervise your research can be excellent sources of letters. Strong letters mention:

• Your reliability and independence
• Intellectual curiosity and problem-solving
• Writing and data-analysis skills
• Your genuine commitment to global health and underserved populations

Cultivate these letters by:

• Providing your updated CV and a draft of your personal statement
• Reminding mentors of specific projects and your roles
• Giving them ample time (4–8 weeks) to write

3. Anticipate and Prepare for Interview Questions

Program directors may ask:

• “Tell me about your most meaningful research project.”
• “What did you specifically do in this project?”
• “What were the main findings and limitations?”
• “How do you see research fitting into your future career in international medicine?”

Prepare 2–3 concise narratives about your key projects:

• Problem and context
• Your specific role
• What you learned (methods, ethics, health systems realities)
• How it shapes your global health goals

---

Practical Timelines and Roadmaps for Different IMG Situations

Scenario 1: You Are 2+ Years Before Applying

You have time to build a strong portfolio:

• Months 1–3:
  • Take an online course in research methods/biostatistics.
  • Identify 2–3 mentors.
  • Start 1 small, feasible project (case series or retrospective study).
• Months 4–12:
  • Submit at least one manuscript.
  • Submit 1–2 conference abstracts.
  • Begin a narrative or systematic review with global health focus.
• Year 2:
  • Finish review article.
  • Join an implementation/QI or health systems project if possible.
  • Aim for 3–6 total scholarly products across categories.

Scenario 2: You Are 1 Year Before Applying

You must be highly focused:

• Identify 1–2 projects with realistic timelines (case reports, narrative reviews, small retrospective studies).
• Focus on at least:
  • One manuscript submission
  • One conference abstract or poster
• Use every piece of work (even if under review) in ERAS as “submitted” or “in progress,” clearly labeled.

Scenario 3: You Are Applying This Season with Minimal Research

Leverage what you can:

• If you have any data from previous years, push quickly to create an abstract or short report.
• At minimum, consider:
  • A case report with global health context
  • A short narrative review
• Be honest about your limited research but emphasize:
  • Concrete steps you’re taking now
  • Desire to join resident research or a global health track at your target programs

---

FAQs: Research Profile Building for IMGs in Global Health

1. As an IMG, is it realistic to get U.S.-based research experience in global health?

Yes, but you often need to start remotely. Many global health projects are international collaborations involving U.S. universities but collecting data in LMICs. You can contribute from abroad through:

• Literature reviews
• Data cleaning and analysis
• Manuscript drafting

Target faculty at institutions with global health centers; mention your regional knowledge or language skills as assets.

2. How many publications needed to be competitive for a global health–oriented residency?

There is no fixed number, but for an IMG applicant:

• Aim for 1–3 peer-reviewed publications if time allows.
• Supplement these with abstracts, posters, or presentations.
• More important than total count is:
  • Clear global health relevance
  • Your real involvement
  • Cohesive narrative about international medicine and underserved care

3. Do QI projects and program evaluations count as research for residency?

Yes, if they are methodologically sound and documented. Programs recognize QI and evaluation as valuable, especially for global health and health systems–focused careers. To strengthen their impact:

• Collect baseline and follow-up data
• Use structured improvement frameworks (PDSA cycles)
• Present results at conferences or internal academic meetings
• Try to write them up as short reports or QI manuscripts

4. Will a lack of bench or basic science research hurt my global health application?

No. For global health–focused pathways, clinical, epidemiologic, implementation, and health systems research are often more relevant than bench work. If your existing work is in basic science, that is still evidence of academic ability, but you should:

• Clearly explain its relevance (e.g., pathogenesis of diseases common in your region)
• Consider adding at least one project with direct global health or population-health implications to align better with your stated goals.

---

Building a research profile as an international medical graduate interested in global health is challenging, but entirely achievable with strategy, persistence, and focus. By aligning your projects with clear global health themes, seeking mentors who value IMGs, and translating your work into publications for match, you can present yourself as a clinician–scholar ready to thrive in a global health residency track and a lifelong career in international medicine.