Impact of a community health improvement clerkship project.

摘要

Context and setting In the United States, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and the prevalence of overweight in children has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Childhood obesity and overweight are also more common in African-American and Hispanic youth than among their White counterparts. Public health interventions to reduce obesity have been challenging, strengthening the need for innovative community approaches. Why the idea was necessary We believe that medical students benefit from education regarding public health interventions to prevent and manage obesity and metabolic syndrome and from developing skills commonly used in preventive medicine research. All University of Rochester medical school students are required to complete a 4-week clerkship in community health improvement involving an evidence-based intervention project incorporating qualitative and quantitative epidemiological research methods. We think that a longitudinal experience that augments the typical version of the course can help students to appreciate the challenges and rewards inherent in a community project, while developing novel approaches to managing childhood obesity. What was done Two medical students participated as investigators in a pilot study of a personalised educational intervention for inner-city families in Rochester with at least 1 child with elements of metabolic syndrome. Within this study, entitled 'Family Insulin Resistance Management (FIRM)', the medical students completed their requirements for the clerkship over several months during Years 2, 3 or 4 of medical school. They organised and helped to direct study meetings, partnered with community doctors, contacted referred families, obtained institutional' review board-approved informed consent, administered a questionnaire, and educated families using an innovative approach that included carrying out an educational session in the home as well as participating in grocery shopping trips and meal preparation.