You are viewing the site in preview mode

Skip to main content

Table 3 Summary of cross-curricular integration of social medicine theme of the week with professionalism, communication and reflection course, foundational sciences topics and ethics

From: The design and implementation of a longitudinal social medicine curriculum at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine

Relevant foundational science curriculum topics Social Medicine Theme of the Week Social Medicine Curriculum topic addressed in Professionalism, Communication and Reflection course Ethics topics
Sickle cell anemia, population genetics, basics of genetics The genetic basis of race Eugenics and the culture of medicine Introduction to ethics including foundational bioethics values like justice
Non-mendelian genetics, gross anatomy lab Death and dying Cadaver, death, and dying  
Cancer, white coat ceremony, genetics Power and privilege Power, privilege, and the white coat History of ethical violations in medicine including via physician disrespect for vulnerable populations
Distribution of “doctor bags” Annual named lecture on equity (topic: Transgender health) PCR spiritual care shadowing orientation The power of listening Narrative Medicine and visit to hospital Solidarity with vulnerable populations
Cystic fibrosis, respiratory anatomy and physiology, sympathetic chain History of American healthcare Introduction to American healthcare Respect for patient autonomy: medical decision-making, surrogate decision-making and shared decision-making
GI anatomy and physiology, gross anatomy lab Race and food Racism and food Ethical approaches to race and culture
Reproductive system anatomy and physiology Owning bodies Abortion and values clarification Abortion, physician assisted death, euthanasia and approaching disagreements about topics in medicine
Toxicology, lead poisoning Housing and water Case studies in environmental health (Flint, Michigan, Dakota Access, climate change) Decision support for wise resource allocation
Anticoagulants The economics of healthcare Doctors and money, pharmaceutical pricing, and cost to patients Health care system ethics, wise allocation of transplanted organs
Virology, HIV The AIDS crisis History of the AIDS epidemic  
Microbiome, chronic diarrhea, micronutrients, parasites Domestic access to food and water American food policy, mapping of Burlington, Vermont, food deserts  
Food as medicine, lipids Stigma and sexuality Sexuality and medicine (w/ body image and medicine) Sexual health ethics
Brain tumors The mythology of the physician Burnout & self-Care (+ cultural perceptions of doctors, internal perceptions of doctors, competition, workaholism, etc.) Wellbeing and ethics
History of opioids Addiction, stigma, recovery Doctors, substance abuse, & recovery  
Parkinson’s, tremor, Huntington’s Aging and bias Ageism and social isolation