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A senior elective: promoting health in underserved communities.
1Center for Healthy Communities, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA. mwolff@mcw.edu
Family Medicine
|December 4, 2001
Summary
This medical elective teaches students about social determinants of health through community engagement. It enhances awareness of how socioeconomic and cultural factors impact patient health and healthcare access.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding social determinants of health is crucial for effective medical practice.
- Traditional medical curricula often lack in-depth focus on socioeconomic and cultural influences on health.
- Service-learning offers a practical approach to understanding community health needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a service-learning elective for fourth-year medical students.
- To educate students on social, economic, and cultural factors influencing health and healthcare-seeking behaviors.
- To foster a deeper understanding of community health challenges.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a fourth-year medical student elective.
- Included didactic material and hands-on experiences in public housing sites.
- Facilitated student collaboration with community members on a healthcare intervention.
Main Results:
- Students engaged in reflective writing on community health factors.
- Analysis of reflection responses assessed comprehension of health determinants.
- The elective provided practical insights into community-based healthcare.
Conclusions:
- The service-learning elective successfully enhanced students' awareness of social determinants of health.
- Student reflections indicated a reduction in assumptions and stereotypes regarding community health.
- The course fostered a greater appreciation for the impact of social factors on health maintenance.