Lucinda B Leung1, James E Simmons2, Julius Ho3, Emma Anselin3, Rian Yalamanchili3, Joseph S Rabatin4. 1. general internist, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar / Veteran's Affairs Scholar at University of California Los Angeles, alumnus of Alpert Medical School of Brown University and co-founder of Brown Student Community Clinic and the Healthcare for the Underserved elective. 2. pulmonary and critical care fellow at Brown University, alumnus of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and co-founder of Brown Student Community Clinic and the Healthcare for the Underserved elective. 3. medical student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and student leader for the Healthcare for the Underserved elective from 2013 to 2014. 4. Associate Professor of Medicine (Clinical) at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and faculty sponsor for the Healthcare for the Underserved elective.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medical students are often unprepared for social challenges in caring for safety net patients. We aim to evaluate and chronicle the evolution of a pre-clinical elective alongside medical disparities curriculum. DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical students designed the course to supplement clinical training on care of vulnerable patients. From 2011-2015, there have been 80 first-year medical student participants, five cohorts of second-year course leaders, and two supporting faculty advisors for this 10-12 session evening elective. RESULTS: Students (n=67) rated the course extremely highly (ranging from 4.4-4.6 on a five-point Likert scale). Medical students reported having significantly more knowledge of underserved populations after taking the course (difference=0.72, SE=0.16, P <0.001). Career interests and attitudes toward health disparities remained strong after taking the course. CONCLUSIONS: This student-created elective equipped participants with improved knowledge in caring for underserved patients and contributed to the incorporation of health disparities in medical curriculum. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-10.asp].
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medical students are often unprepared for social challenges in caring for safety net patients. We aim to evaluate and chronicle the evolution of a pre-clinical elective alongside medical disparities curriculum. DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical students designed the course to supplement clinical training on care of vulnerable patients. From 2011-2015, there have been 80 first-year medical student participants, five cohorts of second-year course leaders, and two supporting faculty advisors for this 10-12 session evening elective. RESULTS: Students (n=67) rated the course extremely highly (ranging from 4.4-4.6 on a five-point Likert scale). Medical students reported having significantly more knowledge of underserved populations after taking the course (difference=0.72, SE=0.16, P <0.001). Career interests and attitudes toward health disparities remained strong after taking the course. CONCLUSIONS: This student-created elective equipped participants with improved knowledge in caring for underserved patients and contributed to the incorporation of health disparities in medical curriculum. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-10.asp].
Entities:
Keywords:
health disparities; medical education; underserved patients