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A Prognosis for Health Systems Science Courses: Observations From Current Students
Andrew R Pines1, Aditya Khurana, George M Mastorakos
1A.R. Pines is a student, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6968-2829. A. Khurana is a student, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9148-9531. G.M. Mastorakos is a student, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6155-6788. K.R. Richter is a student, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1655-5767 . W.L. Asprey is a student, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Medical students report that health systems science (HSS) courses enhance critical thinking about healthcare delivery. Early exposure to HSS improves understanding of system complexity and the physician's role as an agent of change.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Systems Science
- Healthcare Delivery
Background:
- Medical schools are introducing health systems science (HSS) courses to equip future physicians with skills to improve US healthcare.
- Student perspectives on the impact of early HSS education are largely unreported.
- This commentary presents observations from medical students undergoing a longitudinal HSS course.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report medical students' experiences and perceived benefits of an early health systems science (HSS) course.
- To analyze how HSS training influences students' engagement with healthcare delivery and current events.
- To highlight student insights on the physician's role within the healthcare system.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative observations from five medical students after their first year in a longitudinal HSS course.
- Description of the HSS curriculum at the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Arizona campus.
- Analysis of student reflections on course impact on critical thinking and system understanding.
Main Results:
- Students reported enhanced critical thinking regarding healthcare delivery across all educational experiences.
- A deeper understanding of the intricate healthcare system complexity was achieved.
- Increased consideration for the multifaceted aspects of healthcare delivery was observed.
- Students identified health system problems and developed solutions incorporating diverse healthcare domains.
- Recognition of the physician's responsibility as an agent of change within the healthcare system.
Conclusions:
- Early exposure to health systems science (HSS) positively impacts medical students' critical thinking and understanding of healthcare systems.
- HSS education fosters a comprehensive view of healthcare delivery and the physician's role.
- Longitudinal HSS courses are valuable for training physicians as agents of change in healthcare.
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