Medical students value advocacy and health policy training in undergraduate medical education: A mixed methods study
Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to describe medical students’ perceptions and experiences with health policy and advocacy training and practice and define motivations and barriers for engagement. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study of medical students from May to October 2022. Studen...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125000354/type/journal_article |
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| Summary: | Abstract
Introduction:
This study aimed to describe medical students’ perceptions and experiences with health policy and advocacy training and practice and define motivations and barriers for engagement.
Methods:
This was a mixed-methods study of medical students from May to October 2022. Students were invited to participate in a web-based survey and optional follow-up phone interview. Surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Phone interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Interviews were coded inductively using a coding dictionary. Themes were identified using thematic analysis.
Results:
35/580 survey responses (6% response rate) and 15 interviews were completed. 100% rated social factors as related to overall health. 65.7% of participants felt “very confident” or “extremely confident” in identifying social needs but only 11.4% felt “very confident” in addressing these needs. From interviews, six themes were identified: (1) participants recognized that involvement in health policy and/or advocacy is a duty of physicians; (2) participants acknowledged physicians’ voices as well respected; (3) participants were comfortable identifying social determinants of health but felt unprepared to address needs; (4) barriers to future involvement included intimidation, self-doubt, and skepticism of impact; (5) past exposures and awareness of advocacy topics motivated participants to engage in health policy and/or advocacy during medical school; and (6) participants identified areas where the training on these topics excelled and offered recommendations for improvement, including simulation, earlier integration, and teaching on health-related laws and policies.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the importance of involvement in health policy and advocacy among medical students and the need for enhanced education and exposure.
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| ISSN: | 2059-8661 |