Beyond the Classroom: A Food Security-Focused Experiential Learning Program for Developing Health Equity-Minded...

The scope of medical education has expanded to familiarize trainees with the impact of social determinants/drivers of health (SDoH) on health outcomes. However, few experiential learning curricula engage trainees in reducing health-related social needs. The Family Lifestyle Program Patient Navigator Initiative was developed as a novel experiential curriculum for training health equity-minded medical students in food insecurity (FI).

Student volunteers were recruited from local schools with entry points across all academic years. Student navigators completed training to develop skills to engage families referred from their medical home for FI- or diet-related chronic conditions. Training combined small-group, case-based, and didactic sessions on cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and management strategies for FI, with an emphasis on local and federal resources. Following training, navigators contacted families and provided individualized resource lists. Program evaluation included qualitative/quantitative data collection from participating students and families.

Between 2021 and 2024, 76 students were trained, 1,355 patient referrals were made, and 640 families were provided resources. A subset of 22 navigators completed pre- and postparticipation surveys, showing a significant increase in confidence in communicating with families experiencing FI and identifying appropriate local resources. Student interviews demonstrated themes around improved communication skills, empathy, and interpersonal enrichment.

This initiative demonstrates a feasible experiential learning opportunity for medical students. As health care systems increasingly recognize the influence of SDoH on health outcomes, curricula that incorporate hands-on engagement with public health and social needs are essential for cultivating the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors required of future clinicians.