Display options
Cite
Rao R, Hawkins M, Ulrich T, et al. The Evolving Role of Public Health in Medical Education. Front Public Health. 2020;8:251doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251.
Rao, R., Hawkins, M., Ulrich, T., Gatlin, G., Mabry, G., & Mishra, C. (2020). The Evolving Role of Public Health in Medical Education. Frontiers in public health, 8251. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251
Rao, Ravi, et al. "The Evolving Role of Public Health in Medical Education." Frontiers in public health vol. 8 (2020): 251. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251
Rao R, Hawkins M, Ulrich T, Gatlin G, Mabry G, Mishra C. The Evolving Role of Public Health in Medical Education. Front Public Health. 2020 Jun 26;8:251. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251. eCollection 2020. PMID: 32714890; PMCID: PMC7344251.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Front Public Health. 2020 Jun 26;8:251. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251. eCollection 2020.

The Evolving Role of Public Health in Medical Education.

Frontiers in public health

Ravi Rao, Melissa Hawkins, Trina Ulrich, Greta Gatlin, Guadalupe Mabry, Chaitanya Mishra

Affiliations

  1. Independent Researcher, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
  2. Department of Health Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, American University, Washington, DC, United States.

PMID: 32714890 PMCID: PMC7344251 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00251

Abstract

Medical education in the twentieth century was largely influenced by the Flexner Report, with significant proportions of instruction dedicated to the molecular underpinnings of the pathologic pathways and minimal mention of the socio-ecological determinants of health. When examining the predominant diseases of the twenty first century landscape, widening health disparities, and significant changes in the United States healthcare system, it is imperative to view wellness and sickness in a broader public health context rather than a singular focus of the biomedical model. While undergraduate opportunities to study public health are on the rise in the United States, there is a parallel urgency for medical curricula to recognize the importance of the complex interrelated socio-ecological root causes of health, well-being, and illness. In order to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and increase health equity, it is necessary for medical education to integrate core public health knowledge and competencies. Contemporary health challenges require a public health approach, in addition to clinical skills, for physicians to provide equitable care. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscores the necessity to mitigate the effects of socio-ecological determinants of health. Seven key recommendations are presented from a training to practice timeline emphasizing the important linkages between medical education, socio-ecological influences on health, and public health. As the health challenges in society and communities shift, so too must training of future physicians. There is a need and an opportunity for medicine and public health to address the shared health challenges of our global society.

Copyright © 2020 Rao, Hawkins, Ulrich, Gatlin, Mabry and Mishra.

Keywords: education; health equity; premedical; public health; socio-ecological

References

  1. JAMA. 2004 May 5;291(17):2139-40 - PubMed
  2. Am J Prev Med. 2011 Oct;41(4 Suppl 3):S220-7 - PubMed
  3. Acad Med. 2005 Jul;80(7):615-6 - PubMed
  4. N Engl J Med. 2004 Sep 16;351(12):1163-4 - PubMed
  5. Acad Med. 2008 Apr;83(4):338-44 - PubMed
  6. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 May 20;60(19):619-23 - PubMed
  7. Acad Med. 2015 May;90(5):565-8 - PubMed
  8. Am J Prev Med. 2005 Oct;29(3):234-9 - PubMed
  9. J Allied Health. 2016 Spring;45(1):54-61 - PubMed
  10. Perspect Public Health. 2011 Jan;131(1):15-6 - PubMed
  11. N Engl J Med. 2012 Apr 5;366(14):1265-8 - PubMed
  12. Am J Prev Med. 2004 Dec;27(5):471-6 - PubMed
  13. Educ Prim Care. 2016 Nov;27(6):455-461 - PubMed
  14. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2003 Apr;57(4):254-8 - PubMed
  15. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2006 Sep-Oct;12(5):493-5 - PubMed
  16. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jul 1;363(1):6-9 - PubMed
  17. N Engl J Med. 2006 Sep 28;355(13):1339-44 - PubMed
  18. Am J Med. 2017 Jun;130(6):623-625 - PubMed
  19. Acad Med. 2016 May;91(5):628-32 - PubMed
  20. Front Public Health. 2017 Aug 21;5:193 - PubMed
  21. Front Public Health. 2015 May 11;3:71 - PubMed
  22. Public Health Rev. 2017 Feb 1;38:4 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Publication Types