Evaluation of a Social Pediatrics Elective

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine aspects of a social pediatrics elective that led to student self-reflection and transformation. To assess student learning from our social pediatric elective, we retrospectively evaluated self-reflection papers. We focused on the effectiveness of the educational approach to inspire students to incorporate the social determinants of health into their practice. Furthermore, in each reflection paper, we looked for evidence of different phases of transformation. The social determinants of health were the most commonly described theme. Poverty was mentioned directly or described implicitly in almost all papers. For many students, seeing the social context of patients in real life, whether in a special clinic or at a home visit, was a disturbing and disorienting experience that triggered transformation. The use of reflection papers in the evaluation of a social pediatric elective documented transformative learning.