title: Health disparity curriculum at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
abstract: There is increasing recognition that, in addition to acquiring knowledge of basic sciences and clinical skills, medical students must also gain an understanding of health disparities, and develop a defined skill set to address these inequalities. There are few descriptions in the literature of a systematic, longitudinal curriculum in health disparities. Using Kern's six-step approach to curriculum development along with principles of experiential and active learning, student champions and the Office of Medical Education developed a multimodal health disparities curriculum. This curriculum includes required experiences for medical students in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, along with elective experiences throughout medical school. Students are examined on their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards health disparities prior to graduation. It is our hope this curriculum empowers students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to care for patients while helping patients navigate the socioeconomic and cultural issues that may affect their health.
authors.affiliation: Student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erlich
authors.affiliation: Student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: Director of Preclinical Curriculum, Office of Medical Education, the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Luba
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dumenco
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Family Medicine (Clinical), Department of Family Medicine, the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, and affiliated with Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI.
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Director, Office of Medical Education, the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Dollase
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and affiliated with Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005192:Family Health / Q000193:education; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D012237:Rhode Island; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Curriculum; Education, medical, undergraduate; Students, medical; health disparities