Development and Implementation of a Novel Birth Equity Curriculum for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship
Problem:
Social determinants of health (SDH), defined as non-medical factors that
influence health, play a significant role in current health inequities. It is
imperative that medical schools implement curriculum designed to educate future
physicians about SDH. Currently, medical student education surrounding SDH is
heterogenic and often limited to the preclinical years. Furthermore, there are
limited resources on the ideal methodological approach to health equity in
relation to maternal and birth outcomes.
Intervention:
Develop and implement a novel curriculum for third-year medical students to
discuss birth inequities and identify strategies to improve maternal and birth
outcomes.
Context:
Third-year medical students rotating through the Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clerkship engaged in a three-part curriculum surrounding birth equity. This
curriculum utilized videos from the Kansas Birth Equity Network (KBEN) to
review the need for birth equity, community engagement, and unconscious bias.
Students then participated in a 2-hour, interactive, case-based session with an
Obstetrician and social worker to analyze factors surrounding birth inequities.
To conclude, students submitted a written reflection surrounding their
experience on Labor & Delivery.
Outcomes:
A 5-question survey was given during the week of orientation. After
administration of the curriculum the same survey was repeated during the final
week of the rotation. The differences were compared between the pre- and post-
intervention and revealed improved ability to recognize SDH, understand
strategies to mitigate bias, and recognize their role in cultivating health
equity. Based off these results it is reasonable to implement this curriculum
nationally into Obstetrics & Gynecology Clerkships.
