ABSTRACT
Health disparity is an emerging issue in our society. It occurs in connection with an aging population, uneven distribution of health sectors or the collapse of medical care systems in rural communities. Accordingly, future health professionals should learn more about social determinants of health (SDH). Mie University Faculty of Medicine has conducted international health electives in Asian and African countries and education about community-based health profession all over the Mie prefecture. Moreover, a lecture entitled “Global Health and Community Medicine” was launched based on the concept that both topics share common aspects of SDH. In this article, I will report educational programs at Mie University, that provide medical students with opportunities to learn SDH.
ABSTRACT
<p>Objective: To assess opinions on bioethics and human death for more effective ethics-based education in the future.</p><p>Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey among medical students in their 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th years and non-medical 1st year students.</p><p>Results: A baseline assessment among the 1st year students demonstrated significant differences between medical and non-medical students regarding some points, such as euthanasia, human cloning, fear of death, living a life with purpose, and human death. Significant differences were found between medical students in their 2nd, 4th, and 6th years in the following items: pre-implantation and prenatal genetic diagnosis, genetic testing, assisted reproductive technology, and living a life with purpose.</p><p>Conclusions: Based on medical students' opinions regarding bioethics and human death, we expect further improvements in ethics-based education for them at all levels.</p>
ABSTRACT
1) A total of 60 medical and nursing student volunteers operated summer camps for 37 childhood cancer survivors treated at Mie University Hospital and for 51 members of their families in August, 2007 and 2008.2) A questionnaire survey (response rate, 81%; N=47) revealed that the students were seeking to make valuable contributions and to gain benefits for their future careers.3)The students were able to deepen their understanding of childhood cancer survivors and their families.