Young Doctors Program-Colorado: An Elective Elementary School Program to Improve Health Literacy, Utilization of the
Samantha Sposet1, Riley Fabich1, Matthew McEchron1
1Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 8401 S. Chambers Rd., Englewood, CO 80112 USA.
Abstract:
The Young Doctors Program (YDP) is a "mini medical school" series for fifth-grade elementary children. The YDP was designed and led by medical students in the Academic Medicine and Leadership Track at the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado. The curriculum of the program was designed around the State of Colorado Learning Standards with the purpose of educating students about emergencies and common ailments in five body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and renal) while also providing exposure to healthcare as a profession. YDP provides children with insights into the healthcare system, an introduction to osteopathic medicine, and it enhances community outreach. This article provides a framework for the semester-long YDP curriculum as well as our final event which synthesizes learned information using standardized patients. We describe successes including community outreach and healthcare exposure in the elementary school, and challenges initiating connections with local schools and funding. Future goals include expanding outreach to other fifth-grade schools as well as growth to different age levels. Authors plan to pursue IRB approval for research to examine the benefits and efficacy of the YDP.
Related Concept Videos
Health Literacy
Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
Preventive Healthcare Services
Patient-centered Care
Purpose of Health Records II


