Abstract
Being a strong health advocate is recognized as being an important part of being a good surgeon. Residency training programs have struggled with teaching health advocacy beyond didactic sessions, and in a way that encourages trainees to incorporate changes into their practice. This curriculum development aimed to incorporate reflective practice to encourage patient compassion and advocacy. Community service was incorporated as a mandatory component of a postgraduate surgical training program. Residents participated in a community service activity, and reflected upon their learning with a presentation to their peers. Mandatory advocacy curriculum for all 67 first and second year surgical residents. Sixty-four residents chose to participate in a community service activity. Forty-six residents completed year end evaluations on the curriculum. Seventy percent of outreach activities were medically related, and 30% nonmedical. Most residents felt that the amount of work required to complete this project was reasonable (90%), and learned from their experiences (76%). Residents who participated in medically related projects self-described greater learning from their activity (93%), and from watching their peer presentations (79%). These trainees were also more likely to alter their patient management based on their experiences (68%). Trainees who participated in nonmedically related outreach projects were less likely to self-reflect learning from their experiences. Despite mandatory teaching in health advocacy, trainees are often unaware of this teaching within their curriculum. A mandatory outreach project in residency can encourage trainees to reflect on their volunteer activities as a physician and how it impacts their patient's health. Academic departments should try to encourage volunteerism within their trainees by providing opportunities for residents to participate in outreach activities related to their specialty.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.