The Creation of a Women's Health Policy Fellowship at a Major Academic Institution

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology lists physician advocacy as one of the educational objectives included in the core curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology. However, there is a lack of formal education regarding how future physicians are to accomplish this objective, both in medical education and residency training. Therefore, Drexel University College of Medicine created a Women's Health Policy fellowship to train young physicians on how to accomplish this goal. METHODS: A crossdisciplinary approach was used to develop the curriculum for the fellowship. By drawing from clinical, public health, and public policy perspectives, the goal was to develop a formal curriculum that was well balanced and comprehensive. Curriculum components, eligibility criteria, funding, and evaluation process were formalized by a group of key faculty within each of the schools. RESULTS: The first Fellow was accepted in 2012 and is now halfway through the 2-year program. The Fellow has been actively involved with several women's reproductive rights organizations, works closely with the Medical Examiner's Office on a formal maternal mortality review, and serves on several committees both locally and nationally within the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. CONCLUSION: As lawmakers continue to push more health care legislation through government channels, it is important that physicians not only understand these issues, but be more knowledgeable on how to act on them. By gaining formal training in this area, physicians will be more prepared to become advocates for the profession as well as their patients.