Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals in Japan experience significant health disparities. While Western curricula devote multiple hours to structured SGM health modules, Japanese medical schools offer only about 1 h, leaving future providers underprepared. This study aims to 1) develop a heal...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Medical Education Online |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2025.2535411 |
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| author | Tamaki Urban Koki Yokota |
| author_facet | Tamaki Urban Koki Yokota |
| author_sort | Tamaki Urban |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals in Japan experience significant health disparities. While Western curricula devote multiple hours to structured SGM health modules, Japanese medical schools offer only about 1 h, leaving future providers underprepared. This study aims to 1) develop a health equity education program on SGM for medical undergraduates in Japan, 2) assess the program’s effects while considering empathy levels and SGM identities, and 3) evaluate participant satisfaction with the program. A 3-h educational program was integrated into a psychology course for undergraduate freshmen within the faculty of medicine. Utilizing a pretest-posttest single-group design, the study evaluated outcomes through validated self-report measures and a satisfaction survey. ANOVA models examined the program effects on the awareness of inequities faced by SGM groups and attitudes towards them, while considering the moderating roles of empathy and SGM identities. Descriptive statistics examined program satisfaction. Among 112 participants (mean age 18.5 years, SD = 0.6), 2.7% identified as SGM, with 15.2% unsure. Awareness of SGM health disparities significantly increased from pre to postintervention (p < .001). Interaction analyses showed that this gain did not vary with empathy level (p = .286) or with SGM identity status (p = .445). Attitudes toward SGM individuals likewise improved (p < .001). Interaction analyses showed that this gain did not vary with empathy level (p = .699) or by identity (p = .414). Overall, 99.1% of participants reported satisfaction with the program, and all recognized its utility. The program appeared beneficial even for students who had not yet developed high levels of empathy or those with diverse identities. Our findings call for a sustained effort to embed such education within medical training programs, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-equipped to provide inclusive care to SGM individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1803cf3be4f44fd9a0aba24abb616b9e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1087-2981 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Education Online |
| spelling | doaj-art-1803cf3be4f44fd9a0aba24abb616b9e2025-08-20T03:28:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupMedical Education Online1087-29812025-12-0130110.1080/10872981.2025.2535411Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study designTamaki Urban0Koki Yokota1Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, JapanDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, JapanSexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals in Japan experience significant health disparities. While Western curricula devote multiple hours to structured SGM health modules, Japanese medical schools offer only about 1 h, leaving future providers underprepared. This study aims to 1) develop a health equity education program on SGM for medical undergraduates in Japan, 2) assess the program’s effects while considering empathy levels and SGM identities, and 3) evaluate participant satisfaction with the program. A 3-h educational program was integrated into a psychology course for undergraduate freshmen within the faculty of medicine. Utilizing a pretest-posttest single-group design, the study evaluated outcomes through validated self-report measures and a satisfaction survey. ANOVA models examined the program effects on the awareness of inequities faced by SGM groups and attitudes towards them, while considering the moderating roles of empathy and SGM identities. Descriptive statistics examined program satisfaction. Among 112 participants (mean age 18.5 years, SD = 0.6), 2.7% identified as SGM, with 15.2% unsure. Awareness of SGM health disparities significantly increased from pre to postintervention (p < .001). Interaction analyses showed that this gain did not vary with empathy level (p = .286) or with SGM identity status (p = .445). Attitudes toward SGM individuals likewise improved (p < .001). Interaction analyses showed that this gain did not vary with empathy level (p = .699) or by identity (p = .414). Overall, 99.1% of participants reported satisfaction with the program, and all recognized its utility. The program appeared beneficial even for students who had not yet developed high levels of empathy or those with diverse identities. Our findings call for a sustained effort to embed such education within medical training programs, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-equipped to provide inclusive care to SGM individuals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2025.2535411Medical educationhealthempathyattitudeprogram evaluation |
| spellingShingle | Tamaki Urban Koki Yokota Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design Medical Education Online Medical education health empathy attitude program evaluation |
| title | Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design |
| title_full | Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design |
| title_fullStr | Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design |
| title_full_unstemmed | Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design |
| title_short | Program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in Japan: a pre–post study design |
| title_sort | program development and evaluation of a health equity education for undergraduate medical students in japan a pre post study design |
| topic | Medical education health empathy attitude program evaluation |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2025.2535411 |
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