177216 Impact of a new population health curriculum at the Stanford School of Medicine

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Evelyn T. Ho, MPH , Office of Community Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Aimee M. Reedy, MPH, EdD , The Health Trust, Campbell, CA
Nancy Ewen Wang, MD , Division of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA
Ann Banchoff, MSW, MPH , Office of Community Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Clarence H. Braddock, MD, MPH , General Internal Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA
Lisa Chamberlain, MD, MPH , General Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
Neil Gesundheit, MD , Department of Medicine -Endocrinology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Background: In response to a national call by the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Stanford University School of Medicine implemented a Population Health Curriculum for all first-year medical students. The curriculum combines seminars and classroom teaching with collaborative community-based projects. It aims to equip medical students to: (1) identify and describe the key social, economic, and environmental determinants of health; (2) to advocate for change to benefit population health; and (3) work collaboratively with community-based organizations to positively impact determinants of health.

Method: First-year medical students completed surveys that measured knowledge, skills, and attitudes about population health, community engagement, and health disparities prior to and following the curriculum. Focus groups were also conducted with a random sample of students. Community partners evaluated student contributions to addressing community-identified health challenges.

Results: The population health curriculum increased student knowledge of community agencies, specific population health issues and health disparities, and related public policy. Qualitative data showed increased motivation and understanding of community engagement and physician advocacy. Community partners reported satisfaction or high satisfaction with the quality and usefulness of student contribution to the agency's goals. Partners and students also proposed curricular refinements for future years.

Discussion: The requirement for a project-based introduction to population health in medical school provided medical students with a unique opportunity to develop knowledge and skills about determinants of health, community engagement, multi-disciplinary teamwork, and the physician's unique voice in population health promotion. Annual evaluation will inform continued program refinement.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe a collaborative program to engage students in productive and authentic partnerships with community-based organizations and agencies seeking to improve community health. 2. Identify curricular features that promote student learning through a community-based project 3. Discuss opportunities for replication and enhancement of experience-based population health curricula in medical schools in the United States.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I developed, implemented, and evaluated the population health curriculum at the Stanford School of Medicine.
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.

See more of: Academic Public Health Caucus Poster Session II
See more of: Academic Public Health Caucus