Correctional health curriculum enhancement through focus groups.
BACKGROUND
Little has been published describing curricular experiences in correctional health (CH).


OBJECTIVE
Our goal is to articulate a curriculum cognizant of the special needs of the correctional health care worker.


METHODS
We conducted focus groups with nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians focused on content crucial to prepare competent medical professionals committed to careers in correctional health.


RESULTS
Six main themes emerged from the data, which were used to confirm and add to the growing curriculum on correctional health used in our university's correctional health electives. The themes are (a) characteristics of the population being served; (b) prevalent conditions requiring clinical expertise; (c) public health opportunities in correctional facilities; (d) ethical considerations; (e) medical-legal issues; and (d) the CH system, structure, and administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The successful provision of health care in correctional settings requires specialized knowledge, skills, and awareness not typically available in other health care training settings.
Haley
Heather-Lyn
HL
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA. Heather-Lyn.Haley@umassmed.edu
Ferguson
Warren
W
Brewer
Arthur
A
Hale
Janet
J
D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000193:education; D011330:Prisons