An Experiential Resident Module for Understanding Social Determinants of Health at an Academic Safety-Net Hospital

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Chronic illness affects half of U.S. adults, with significant health disparities impacting poorer populations.
• Barriers include limited access to healthy food, housing instability, and low health literacy, complicating chronic disease management.
• Physician training often lacks adequate preparation for addressing cross-cultural care and social determinants of health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce internal medicine residents to social determinants of health (SDOH).
• To highlight disparities in access to essential resources like food, water, shelter, and medical care within a patient population.
• To enhance residents' understanding of how social factors impede patient health and healthcare navigation.

Main Methods:

• An experiential learning module was designed for urban internal medicine residents.
• Learners selected activities from a list, engaging in small groups during protected time.
• Reflective writing exercises were used to capture resident insights and experiences.

Main Results:

• Thirty-nine second-year residents participated; 41% submitted reflective statements.
• Responses indicated increased appreciation for SDOH and a greater sense of empowerment for patient advocacy.
• Residents demonstrated a better understanding of systems-level factors influencing health outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A brief, experience-based educational module can positively influence resident attitudes towards SDOH.
• The training improved residents' advocacy skills for identifying and connecting patients with community resources.
• This approach fosters a more comprehensive understanding of patient needs beyond clinical presentation.