The Shift From in-Person to Online Health Education Volunteering in a Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional, in-person models of health education volunteering across the globe, prompting a shift toward online modalities. Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), an established nonprofit organization with a 30-year history in health capacity-building, responded by rapidly transitioning to a virtual volunteering model. This qualitative study examines the dynamics, outcomes, and challenges of online volunteering in the training of health professionals in resource-scarce countries.Using a comparative case study design, the research focuses on three global health projects coordinated by HVO: physical therapy in Rwanda and Ghana, oral health education in Nepal, and a multi-country anesthesiology program involving Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos. Through online interviews with 15 stakeholders—including volunteers, project directors, and host country representatives—three key themes emerged: Creating Space, The Future is Hybrid, and Geographical Expansion.Findings suggest that online volunteering serves as an effective tool for enhancing educational capacity, expanding access to training, and fostering global collaboration. Volunteers reported gains in cross-cultural communication and professional networking, while host country stakeholders emphasized the value of sustained, flexible support. However, challenges such as internet connectivity, language barriers, and cultural differences were noted. This study concludes that online volunteering is a feasible, scalable, and impactful model for promoting global health education. While not a wholesale replacement for in-person engagement, remote volunteering offers valuable opportunities, particularly when integrated into hybrid models. Organizations seeking to build global educational capacity should consider adopting blended approaches that maximize the benefits of both virtual and in-person engagement