Contextualisation of Immunology based teaching for undergraduate Medical science students that supports knowledge application

Abstract

Abstract Provision of appropriate clinically relevant Immunology examples to support understanding of the related mechanistic and cellular Immunology teaching content within undergraduate Medical sciences education is important for knowledge application. This work in part involved the incorporation of Immunologically based clinical research examples for undergraduate Medical science students, that were relevant to current health issues associated with Māori and Pacific population groups living in New Zealand (NZ) and the Pacific Region. Immunologically based Cancer and Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) related teaching examples were presented in class to 4th year undergraduate Medical science students. Untreated Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection of the throat (and skin) can trigger ARF which is an autoimmune condition that can lead to development of permanent heart damage known as Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) if left untreated. Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Aboriginal population groups are affected disproportionately by ARF and RHD. As the Cancer burden for Pacific population groups in NZ and the Pacific Region remains of public health concern, Immunologically based Cancer research work was also presented. In-depth interest and understanding of the presented material was demonstrated in class and indicated in student feedback. A subset of students became subsequently engaged in Summer Scholarship research placements focused on varying Cancer related aspects. Based on student responses and subsequent research efforts, the contextualisation of the Immunology information was successfully achieved and raised awareness of the heath priorities for Māori and Pacific population groups living in NZ and the Pacific Region.