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Description of a Research-Based Health Activism Curriculum for Medical Students

  1. Stephen S. Cha MD, MHS1,2,
  2. Joseph S. Ross MD, MHS3,4,
  3. Peter Lurie MD, MPH5,
  4. Galit Sacajiu MD, MPH6

Article first published online: 1 SEP 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00608.x

Issue

Journal of General Internal Medicine

Journal of General Internal Medicine

Volume 21, Issue 12, pages 1325–1328, December 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cha, S. S., Ross, J. S., Lurie, P. and Sacajiu, G. (2006), Description of a Research-Based Health Activism Curriculum for Medical Students. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21: 1325–1328. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00608.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

  3. 3

    Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

  4. 4

    Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

  5. 5

    Public Citizen's Health Research Group, Washington, DC, USA

  6. 6

    Department of Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

*Address correspondence and requests for reprints to Dr. Cha: Committee on Government Reform, United States House of Representatives, 511 Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (e-mail: stephen.cha@yale.edu).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 SEP 2006
  2. Article first published online: 1 SEP 2006
  3. Manuscript received October 4, 2005Initial editorial decision January 6, 2006Final acceptance July 17, 2006

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Keywords:

  • medical education;
  • professionalism;
  • health care reform;
  • curriculum evaluation

INTRODUCTION: Few curricula train medical students to engage in health system reform.

AIM: To develop physician activists by teaching medical students the skills necessary to advocate for socially equitable health policies in the U.S. health system.

SETTING: Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: We designed a 1-month curriculum in research-based health activism to develop physician activists. The annual curriculum includes a student project and 4 course sections; health policy, research methods, advocacy, and physician activists as role models; taught by core faculty and volunteers from academic institutions, government, and nongovernmental organizations.

PROGRAM EVALUATION: From 2002 to 2005, 47 students from across the country have participated. Students reported improved capabilities to generate a research question, design a research proposal, and create an advocacy plan.

DISCUSSION: Our curriculum demonstrates a model for training physician activists to engage in health systems reform.

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