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Leung LB, Simmons JE, Ho J, Anselin E, Yalamanchili R, Rabatin JS. A Five-Year Evolution of a Student-led Elective on Health Disparities at The Alpert Medical School. Rhode Island medical journal. 2016 Oct 4; 99(10):43-47.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medical students are often unprepared for social challenges in caring for safety net patients. We aim to evaluate and chronicle the evolution of a pre-clinical elective alongside medical disparities curriculum. DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical students designed the course to supplement clinical training on care of vulnerable patients. From 2011-2015, there have been 80 first-year medical student participants, five cohorts of second-year course leaders, and two supporting faculty advisors for this 10-12 session evening elective. RESULTS: Students (n = 67) rated the course extremely highly (ranging from 4.4-4.6 on a five-point Likert scale). Medical students reported having significantly more knowledge of underserved populations after taking the course (difference = 0.72, SE = 0.16, P < 0.001). Career interests and attitudes toward health disparities remained strong after taking the course. CONCLUSIONS: This student-created elective equipped participants with improved knowledge in caring for underserved patients and contributed to the incorporation of health disparities in medical curriculum. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-10.asp].