Disease prevention and health promotion topics typically receive less class time in U. S. medical schools than disease diagnosis and treatment (survey conducted by the authors). Devoting adequate time to these topics, given an already crowded curriculum, presents many challenges. A grant from the National Cancer Institute (R25 CA75259-04) provided funding to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated cancer prevention and health promotion (CP/HP) curriculum for medical students attending the University of Arizona College of Medicine (UACOM). Specific topics addressed by this grant include various cancer sites (breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, skin), carcinogenic agents (alcohol, tobacco), health promotion strategies (self-examination, individual and community education), and general issues (e.g., cellular, epidemiological, ethical). Results from the needs assessment conducted at the UACOM (via course audits, syllabi review, course director meetings) revealed deficits in CP/HP content in the existing curriculum. Implementation of the integrated 4-year CP/HP curriculum is currently underway; specific innovative methods of incorporating content include a quick reference guide, slide sets, problem-based learning (PBL) cases, a tobacco cessation counseling guide, and small group sessions using computer-based technology will be presented. Content fidelity checks, as a measure of level of implementation of new CP/HP content will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session, attendees will be able to: (1) discuss innovative methods for incorporating cancer prevention/health promotion content, (2) discuss the importance of conducting content fidelity checks within the classroom setting as an evaluation tool.
Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Curricula
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Arizona College of Medicine
Tucson, AZ
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.