Introduction of a Social Determinants of Health Education Program into Clinical Clerkship at the University of Tsukuba / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

The University of Tsukuba School of Medicine introduced an education program on the social determinants of health (SDH). It consists of lectures during the 3rd year and a 4-week family practice and community medicine clerkship between 5th and 6th years. In the clinical clerkship, students receive lectures on the first day, are instructed to consider the SDH in a patient they met during the course, give group presentations and hand in written reports on the last day. Most students were able to analyze patients beyond the biomedical model, but only a few students were able to consider the social background and timeline of each patient. Our future challenge is to enhance students' understanding of SDH through educational programs for faculty members.