Adapting Italian Healthcare to migration and cultural diversity: educational lessons from an exploratory survey at the University of Udine.

INTRODUCTION

Globalization and increasing migration flows have profoundly reshaped demographic and health landscapes in Europe. Physicians are now required to integrate not only biomedical expertise but also cultural competence and knowledge of global disease patterns. Tropical Medicine (TropMed) and Migration Medicine (MigMed) represent two complementary domains bridging infectious disease expertise with social and intercultural dimensions of care. Despite their relevance, several studies highlight significant educational gaps in these fields across Europe.

METHODS

We conducted an exploratory, observational study at the University of Udine (Italy) using a self-administered online questionnaire (EUSurvey platform) to assess awareness, knowledge, and educational exposure to TropMed and MigMed among medical students and residents. The survey was open from April to June 2024 and addressed 1,406 eligible participants. Only descriptive statistics were applied given the small and self-selected sample.

RESULTS

A total of 48 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate: 3.4%). Awareness of MigMed was limited, with one quarter of respondents unfamiliar with the term, while TropMed was better known. Knowledge of infectious diseases linked to migration varied: tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections were relatively well known, whereas diseases such as Chagas or Dengue were rarely identified. Educational exposure was scarce: only one third had attended vaccination courses, fewer than 20% had participated in training on migration health, and less than 10% had engaged with activities organized by the Italian Society of Migration Medicine (SIMM). Despite these gaps, a notable minority expressed career aspirations in international or NGO settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Although limited by an extremely low response rate, this study highlights a critical educational gap in TropMed and MigMed among future physicians. The lack of engagement itself is a meaningful finding, reflecting limited awareness and interest in topics of growing public health importance. These results call for urgent curricular reforms in Italian medical education, integrating global health, intercultural competence, and equity-oriented training as core components to prepare physicians for a healthcare system increasingly shaped by migration and cultural diversity.