Abstract
BackgroundAs the global burden of chronic disease grows, and infectious disease threats loom large, the need for medical graduates with expertise in public health medicine (PHM) is growing. A recurrent challenge is integrating this broad knowledge into crowded medical curricula and making PHM relevant. This study describes the process of integrating public health content into an Australian graduate entry medical course.MethodsA redesign of the PHM curriculum at Deakin University School of Medicine was conducted in 2014 to make the curriculum practice-based and solution-oriented. Central to the redesign was the development of a curriculum map.ResultsPublic health is now taught from a practice-based framework adapted from the World Health Organization emphasizing skills aligned with the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine domains that prepare students for specialisation. Learning outcomes are structured to build depth and application in student knowledge. Mapping the curriculum provided the ability to measure alignment of learning outcomes with course, university and accrediting body outcomes. Regular feedback from students indicates engagement has improved along with perceived relevance to future careers.ConclusionsDoctors with public health skills are increasingly sought after in Australia, particularly in rural areas. Deakin graduates are well placed to meet this demand.
Highlights
Over the last 30 years, the major trend in causes of death globally has transitioned from infectious diseases towards noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries [1]
While infectious diseases are no longer the major cause of death in Australia, the threat of illness and death on a large scale is ever present as bacteria and viruses evolve [3], and as the likelihood of exposure to novel pathogens increases with international travel [4]
Redesigning the curriculum: framework Our review revealed that existing teaching frameworks tend to be centered on the theory, science and disciplines of broad public health [19, 20], or competencies [21], rather than medical practice
Summary
While infectious diseases are no longer the major cause of death in Australia, the threat of illness and death on a large scale is ever present as bacteria and viruses evolve [3], and as the likelihood of exposure to novel pathogens increases with international travel [4]. For these reasons, and after a long period where the relevance of public health in medicine was questioned [5,6,7], contemporary medical education is embracing the principles of public health and preventive medicine [8]. Doctors in Australia need to be at the forefront of addressing health inequities impacting rural, remote, Indigenous and marginalised individuals and communities [13, 14]
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