Why should medical students care about health policy?
2006

Why Medical Students Should Care About Health Policy

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Rajesh Gupta

Primary Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Medical students need to be educated about the political, economic, and social policies that influence health.

Conclusion

Medical education should include a focus on health policy to better prepare future physicians.

Supporting Evidence

  • Political, economic, and social policies have direct effects on health outcomes.
  • Health policies must include nonmedical determinants of health.
  • Medical students currently receive little training in health policy.

Takeaway

Doctors need to understand how laws and money affect health so they can help their patients better.

Methodology

The article discusses the need for improved medical education regarding health policy.

Limitations

The current medical curriculum lacks formal education in health policy.

Participant Demographics

Medical students and trainees.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pmed.0030199

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication