Public health engagement interest and self-perceived preparedness of senior year Canadian medical students

Sohi, Dylan and Hickey, Joanne (2020) Public health engagement interest and self-perceived preparedness of senior year Canadian medical students. Research Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Background: For years, focus has been placed on improving the social determinants of health to improve population health. However, more recently there have been greater efforts instituted surrounding physician involvement in public health efforts through advocacy, collaboration, and research. There are several efforts that have been implemented to induce pre-medical students’, medical students’ and physicians’ competencies/interests in public health areas. Question: Are senior year students of Canadian medical schools interested and feeling prepared to get involved with public health initiatives/efforts as physicians? Method: An exploratory study was carried out that involved surveying senior year medical students of Canadian medical schools. Survey was disseminated by the UGME offices and CFMS representatives of participating schools. Descriptive statistics were used to present the survey results. Results: The respondents are interested in public health engagement beyond the clinic. They see public health as an important part of the medical school curriculum and agree that physicians have a responsibility to put forth efforts in the area. A large majority of the respondents, 73%, plan to engage in public health efforts beyond clinical practice as a physician. Conclusion: There is a discrepancy of respondent’s current involvement in public health engagement and their interest and future plans to engage. Respondents have a higher interest in public health compared to their self-perceived preparedness. Schools need to focus more on how students can get involved in public health initiatives as physicians. The next steps in this area of research must look to get a larger pool of evidence from medical students, investigate physician thoughts on the topic and engagement in public health.

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