Universal Barriers and Facilitators for International Healthcare Students' Well-being in Higher Education: Protocol for A Systematic Integrative Review (Preprint)

Abstract

International healthcare students encounter unique hurdles as they pursue education in foreign countries. These challenges, stemming from cultural, language, and educational disparities, significantly impact their well-being. Understanding the barriers and facilitators experienced by international healthcare students is crucial for ensuring their successful integration into academic and professional spheres.

This systematic integrative review aims to comprehend the factors influencing the well-being of international healthcare students in higher education institutions worldwide. By analysing existing literature, the review seeks to uncover the common challenges faced by international healthcare students and identify the elements that contribute to their well-being. Additionally, it aims to shed light on effective strategies and interventions for supporting the well-being of this population.

The protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) checklist. The main information sources include PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ebscohost supplemented with citation tracking using Google Scholar. Study selection will be done independently by two reviewers based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Qualitative data from included studies will be analysed using thematic synthesis. If there is sufficient quantitative data, meta-analysis will be conducted for specific outcome measures, Qualitative and quantitative findings will be compared and contrasted to identify areas of convergence, divergence, or complementarity.

The initial literature search yielded 7927 papers from the selected databases.

This systematic review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the well-being of international healthcare students. The findings will inform the development of targeted interventions and support initiatives in higher education institutions globally, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the well-being and academic success of international healthcare students.

Trial Registration:CRD42024372785;https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=3727850