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Evaluating the efficacy of public health and community medicine programs at the university of Texas southwestern medical school
Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed interest in public health and community engagement among 690 medical students and among 35 CART students using online surveys.
Results: Of the 690 students, 292 responded (response rate 42%). Fifty percent of all students were interested in an expanded program that incorporates public health, prevention, and community engagement in the medical school curriculum. Of the 35 enrolled in the CART program, 15 responded (response rate 43%). Although 60% of CART students were satisfied with the program, the majority of the weaknesses identified with the program were attributed to a lack of sustainable funding.
Discussion: Students are interested in incorporating public health and community medicine into the medical school curriculum. Recommendations include establishing an inter-professional collaboration between the UT Southwestern Medical School, the Dallas County Public Health Department, and the UT School of Public Health. Other recommendations include expanding the CART program by integrating core principles of public health and prevention, community based participatory research, and community service learning.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the role of public health education in medical school, assess the barriers and facilitators for incorporating public health education in medical school, and identify ways to improve public health education in medical school.
Keyword(s): Education, Curricula
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a research study coordinator at the UT Southwestern Family Medicine Residency program, have a Master of Public Health degree and have mentored several residents and medical students on research projects.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.