Table 1.

Final coding framework for content analysis by theme

Theme	Code	Description
Experience factors	Experience	Being in a position to practice leadership skills, facing challenges and having to adapt to new roles whilst leading an overseas quality improvement project.
	Exposure	Exposure to other cultures and health professionals
	Leadership styles	Exposure to and an awareness of different leadership styles
Personal development factors	Interests	Development and consolidation of interests, aspirations or values both personal and professional
	Perspective	Perspective on professional development and the NHS
	Insight	Insight into personal attributes and cultural norms and how these influence behaviour
Internal outcomes	Personal Qualities	Development of qualities such as confidence, innovation, flexibility, adaptability and resilience.
	Change in practice	Active changes to the fellow’s professional practice
	Change in career choice	Active changes in career direction or career ambitions
External outcomes	Perception	Perceptions of the IGH Fellow from others
	Opportunity	Relating to the availability or lack of availability of opportunities on return to the UK
	Impact of Fellowship	Relating to the impact of the IGH Fellowship on the fellow’s career