Global Citizenship in Medicine: How Diverse Global Perspectives Inform Patient Care and Healthcare Access

This thesis explores the role that diverse global perspectives play in informing culturally and politically considerate approaches to healthcare provision, aiming to understand how being a global citizen can aid healthcare professionals in their approaches to providing effective treatment and supporting equitable healthcare access. This project focuses on the lasting impacts of political and social disruption within the historical contexts of Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and beyond, revealing insights into the political, social, and cultural factors that inform public health systems and patient experiences. These insights, drawn from complex historical contexts, offer lessons that are applicable in addressing healthcare disparities and challenges in diverse populations worldwide, demonstrating the importance of healthcare provision that values cultural specificity and transnational understanding. The research conducted for this thesis is compiled in a series of 10 reflective essays, developed through participation in ten respective events hosted by the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies at Arizona State University. These essays form the foundation of this project and are supported by associated background readings and additional research publications. Through an analysis of diverse geopolitical contexts, this thesis illustrates how patient care and equitable access to care are shaped by historical and political contexts, and how understanding these factors is essential for medical professionals seeking to provide equitable and effective healthcare in an increasingly interconnected world.