Medical student projects in practical health promotion

This paper describes a programme of projects on health promotion policy carried out by students of St Mary's Hospital Medical School as part of the community medicine course. The programme of work draws together three themes which have recurred in recommendations on the future of medical education: the need to locate health within its social and economic context, the importance of training doctors in health promotion, and the educational value of project work. From a practical service perspective, the information gained thereby has been extremely valuable in assisting the development, implementation and monitoring of local health promotion policies.