Name
Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Healthcare Curricula
Date & Time
Friday, February 28, 2020, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Judy Jenks
Description

Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Healthcare Curricula Judy Jenks, Radford University, Radford, VA. 24142 U.S.A.   PURPOSE: Since healthcare curricula are weighted toward text and practicum to develop competencies that lead to the successful completion of national certification exams and competent fundamental practice, there may be limited room to address a variety of social determinants of health. This faculty has developed an approach of integrating social disparity awareness into introductory and core classes. METHOD: The process has evolved for over 3 years. Participating classes include those taught by this instructor; ten didactic and clinical classes. Soft skills are developed by exposure to social determinants of health disparity via student immersion, interviews of public participants, journals, robust discussion boards, and self-reflection essays of videos and readings. A small sample of topics and activities (some required, some voluntary) include; Human Trafficking, LQTBQ access to healthcare, a day in the life of a young-adult female athlete with a colostomy, the mental health effects of domestic terrorism and natural disasters, students meet with legislators, write opinion editorials (Op-Eds), volunteer at temporary clinics, and more. All methods are available to remote online students and local students. Grading is tolerant, to decrease stress and allow the student to freely synthesize and internalize the information. RESULTS: The program started in 2017 with one self-reflection question added to the clinical data collection of 10 students and is now up to 14 assignments integrated into most courses. 246 students have participated; all student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and assignments eagerly anticipated. CONCLUSION: Integrating social determinants of health into curricula has increased awareness and empathy regarding discrimination and disparity in healthcare. Students report measurable actions they intend to implement during their career in an effort to improve inequalities.

Session Type
Oral Presentations