The utility and appropriate contextualisation of Immunology based cancer related teaching examples within Medical Sciences Education

Abstract

Abstract To support effective learning for students undertaking undergraduate Medical Sciences Education, multiple elements are required. These include clinically relevant Immunological course components and related research teaching examples with appropriate contextualisation. This learning and teaching effort involved incorporation of Immunologically based clinical research examples within undergraduate Medical Science Education classes relevant to current cancer related health issues associated with Māori and Pacific population groups living in New Zealand (NZ) and the Pacific Region. The overall aim was to support effective learning for students undertaking undergraduate Medical Sciences Education classes using clinically relevant Immunological based research examples that were contextualised and relevant to current health priorities associated with Māori and Pacific population groups. Immunologically based Cancer research work and examples of relevance to Māori and Pacific population groups were presented to 4th Year Medical students undertaking Medical Sciences Education classes. Feedback indicated these in-class examples helped raise awareness of current health issues and priorities facing Māori and Pacific population groups. Verbal and written student feedback also indicated in-depth understanding of the subject matter presented. Some students pursued efforts to secure research placements focused on Pacific related cancer-based research work. This work demonstrated the importance and utility of clinically relevant Immunological teaching examples that are contextualised and support learning and application of scientific research content for undergraduate Medical Science Education.