Name
Reimagining US Healthcare: A Student-Led, Transatlantic Case Competition
on Health Policy
Date & Time
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 4:19 PM - 4:34 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe G
Speakers
Authors
Shruthi Mohana Sundaram, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Jennifer Easterly, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Denton Lord, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Brantley Good, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Presentation Topic(s)
Technology and Innovation
Description
PURPOSE
To design and evaluate a case competition involving integrated US-UK teams
that incorporates health policy, healthcare business, and global health in
medical education. Although most MD programs emphasize clinical skills and
biomedical research, few prioritize health policy and economics. The
Healthcare Delivery Interest Group (HDIG) at the Medical College of Georgia
(MCG) collaborated with the University of Aberdeen (UofA) to implement the
Healthcare Equity Case Competition, addressing this gap through international
collaboration.
METHODS
HDIG developed a case about the hypothetical repeal of the Affordable Care
Act (ACA), prompting teams to propose an alternative model for the US
healthcare system that addressed cost, accessibility, effectiveness,
insurance market stability, and transition logistics. The case required
students to examine global health systems and apply diverse national
perspectives. HDIG deliberately paired MCG and UofA students within each
team. Students gave oral presentations at their respective institutions
through a videoconference platform, enabling synchronous sharing with the
partner institution. To analyze whether the competition met its educational
objectives, a feedback questionnaire was distributed to participants, using a
10-point rating scale. 50 students participated in the competition, with 24
evaluable responses to the questionnaire.
RESULTS
Students reported within-team international collaboration as key to
understanding case objectives. Paired t-tests demonstrated statistically
significant improvements in self-perceived understanding of the US healthcare
system, comparative healthcare models, global health equity, and public
health policy.
CONCLUSIONS
Unlike other cross-institutional initiatives, this competition incorporated
students from different countries within the same teams, requiring
cooperation across diverse knowledge bases and perspectives. This intentional
challenge enriched learning but necessitated coordination. Logistical
barriers like costs, time zones, and curricular differences may limit
scalability. This event provides a replicable framework for integrating
international teams into medical curricula to address health policy topics
and empowers future physicians to participate in policymaking and healthcare
reform.
To design and evaluate a case competition involving integrated US-UK teams
that incorporates health policy, healthcare business, and global health in
medical education. Although most MD programs emphasize clinical skills and
biomedical research, few prioritize health policy and economics. The
Healthcare Delivery Interest Group (HDIG) at the Medical College of Georgia
(MCG) collaborated with the University of Aberdeen (UofA) to implement the
Healthcare Equity Case Competition, addressing this gap through international
collaboration.
METHODS
HDIG developed a case about the hypothetical repeal of the Affordable Care
Act (ACA), prompting teams to propose an alternative model for the US
healthcare system that addressed cost, accessibility, effectiveness,
insurance market stability, and transition logistics. The case required
students to examine global health systems and apply diverse national
perspectives. HDIG deliberately paired MCG and UofA students within each
team. Students gave oral presentations at their respective institutions
through a videoconference platform, enabling synchronous sharing with the
partner institution. To analyze whether the competition met its educational
objectives, a feedback questionnaire was distributed to participants, using a
10-point rating scale. 50 students participated in the competition, with 24
evaluable responses to the questionnaire.
RESULTS
Students reported within-team international collaboration as key to
understanding case objectives. Paired t-tests demonstrated statistically
significant improvements in self-perceived understanding of the US healthcare
system, comparative healthcare models, global health equity, and public
health policy.
CONCLUSIONS
Unlike other cross-institutional initiatives, this competition incorporated
students from different countries within the same teams, requiring
cooperation across diverse knowledge bases and perspectives. This intentional
challenge enriched learning but necessitated coordination. Logistical
barriers like costs, time zones, and curricular differences may limit
scalability. This event provides a replicable framework for integrating
international teams into medical curricula to address health policy topics
and empowers future physicians to participate in policymaking and healthcare
reform.
Presentation Tag(s)
Student Presentation