Student Perspectives on Public Health Education in Undergraduate Medical Education

Kevin Correll Keith,Donna Kern,Bethany Carlos,Debra Hazen- Martin,Kemp Anderson,Michele Friesinger,Chanita Hughes-Halbert,Kelsey Wilson

doi:10.21767/2049-5471.1000181

Abstract

Background: Incorporating population-based health into the medical curriculum is a challenge to US medical schools. A better understanding of student attitudes about the value of public health education and satisfaction can help guide the development and implementation of public health education into curricula. Aim: To describe attitudes about public health education among medical students. Methods: Attitudes about public health education, topics that should be taught in medical school, and perceptions about the adequacy of public health education were measured using items from the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire and questions that were based on the core competencies in public health for medical students. Results: Seventy-eight percent of students agreed that physicians should be required to learn public health. But, M2, M3, and M4 students were significantly more likely than M1 students to report that public health information is common sense knowledge (p=0.03). Most students agreed that it was important to learn topics related to health promotion, maternal/ child health, and nutrition and also agreed that the amount of instruction in public health topics was adequate. Conclusions: Implementing a longitudinal curriculum in public health may help students see the value and importance of this field as they prepare to leave medical school for practice.

Highlights

Incorporating prevention- and population-based health into the undergraduate medical education curriculum is a longstanding priority [1]
Public health education in medical school is targeted at meeting the demand for increased attention to population health, disease prevention, and health disparities [1]
Society expects that physicians will make prevention a larger priority and that they will be more knowledgeable about population health management [3]

Summary

Introduction

Incorporating prevention- and population-based health into the undergraduate medical education curriculum is a longstanding priority [1]. Public health education in medical school is targeted at meeting the demand for increased attention to population health, disease prevention, and health disparities [1]. Across all domains of health care, it is increasingly important that physicians have an understanding of basic public health issues and be equipped with the skills to address these challenges. Physicians should understand social and environmental determinants of health to address chronic diseases that disproportionately affect minority populations [2]. As the US health care system transitions from fee-for-service into a value-based care system, physician stakeholders will need to have a keen understanding of health policy. Incorporating population-based health into the medical curriculum is a challenge to US medical schools. A better understanding of student attitudes about the value of public health education and satisfaction can help guide the development and implementation of public health education into curricula

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Conclusion