Description of a research-based health activism curriculum for medical students

Few curricula train medical students to engage in health system reform.

To develop physician activists by teaching medical students the skills necessary to advocate for socially equitable health policies in the U.S. health system.

Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

We designed a 1-month curriculum in research-based health activism to develop physician activists. The annual curriculum includes a student project and 4 course sections;health policy, research methods, advocacy, and physician activists as role models; taught by core faculty and volunteers from academic institutions, government, and nongovernmental organizations.

From 2002 to 2005, 47 students from across the country have participated. Students reported improved capabilities to generate a research question, design a research proposal,and create an advocacy plan.

Our curriculum demonstrates a model for training physician activists to engage in health systems reform.