Health disparities and underserved populations: a potential solution, medical school partnerships with free clinics to improve curriculum

Medical Education Online

Allison A. Vanderbilt¹  Steven H. Crossman²  Melissa K. Bradner²  Lynn M. VanderWielen³  Sallie D. Mayer⁴  Alexander S. Enurah⁵  Samuel S. Gordon⁶ 

[1] Center on Health Disparities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA;Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA;Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA;Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA;Division of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA;School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA;

关键词: health disparities;    uninsured;    medical education;    underserved populations;    free clinics;   

DOI  :  10.3402/meo.v20.27535

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Health-care educators share the social responsibility to teach medical students about social determinants of health and health-care disparities and subsequently to encourage medical students to pursue residencies in primary care and medical practice in underserved communities. Free clinics provide care to underserved communities, yet collaborative partnerships with such organizations remain largely untapped by medical schools. Free clinics and medical schools in 10 US states demonstrate that such partnerships are geographically feasible and have the potential to mutually benefit both organizational types. As supported by prior research, students exposed to underserved populations may be more likely to pursue primary care fields and practice in underserved communities, improving health-care infrastructure.

【 授权许可】

Unknown