Exploring the Significance of Bidirectional Learning for Global Health Education

The value of bidirectional learning is emphasized both in global health and local community engagement. Conceptualizations of bidirectional learning for global health education are discussed, including implications when it is defined as mutual learning, codevelopment, or academic partnerships. Additionally, we review the relationship of bidirectional learning to different learning theories. Case studies from the field offer examples of how bidirectional learning can occur in the classroom, through academic partnerships, or both. Finally, recommendations are offered to facilitate bidirectional learning in global health education, including in identifying challenges faced by educators in lower-resourced settings who wish to offer bidirectional learning to their students through partnership with higher-resourced academic institutions.