Behavorial, social sciences important to medical education curricula
It will be critical for future physicians to have a clear and intimate understanding of their patients’ lives outside of the doctor’s office, according to a new report by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Because of this, the behavioral and social sciences will be key players in a well-rounded medical school curriculum, explains the report meant to guide schools in creating successful educational programs in health care.
“In addition to medical knowledge, a well-rounded physician must understand the cultural, familial, economic, and demographic factors that affect health and disease,” said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. “To deliver quality patient-centered care, today’s doctors need to be equipped with effective methods to help people change behavior to optimize health.”
The report, Behavioral and Social Foundations for Future Physicians (PDF), helps educators prepare medical students for the societal issues and personal decisions that can lead to health disparities, disease and even premature death. In fact, the report notes that behavioral and social elements like socioeconomic status, diet, exercise and smoking make up for more than 50 percent of disease and premature deaths, making study in such areas necessary for future physicians.
“Behavioral and social sciences can assist physicians in developing the right questions and identifying concepts from these disciplines that will provide insight into the many influences on health,” explains a release for the report.
Behavioral and Social Foundations for Future Physicians is a companion document to the Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians (PDF) report released in 2009, which looked at the scientific needs of medical education in the areas of molecular, genetic, biological, physical and mathematical sciences as well as logic and reasoning.
