Developing a Structural Intervention for Outpatient Mental Health Care: Mapping Vulnerability and Privilege

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Societal structures significantly influence health outcomes.
• A structural competency framework is crucial for understanding health disparities.
• Clinicians need tools to address social determinants of health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Mapping Vulnerability and Privilege (MVP) exercise.
• To promote structural humility among clinicians.
• To equip clinicians and patients to address systemic health barriers.

Main Methods:

• Development of the MVP exercise, including the MVP Tool, Visual Guide, and Processing Guide.
• Based on a structural competency framework.
• Designed as an educational and clinical intervention.

Main Results:

• The MVP exercise provides a structured approach to analyzing health impacts of societal structures.
• It facilitates a deeper understanding of structural barriers in healthcare.
• Encourages collaborative action between patients and clinicians.

Conclusions:

• The MVP exercise is a valuable tool for enhancing clinicians' structural competency.
• It fosters a critical lens for examining the therapeutic environment and healthcare system.
• Aims to empower stakeholders to address health inequities.