Population Health - Selected Topics
MS-2

August 22, 2012 - February 20, 2013

Course Director
Gregory M. Bump, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
bumpgm@upmc.edu

Course Description

A key element of 21st century medical education is preparing students to care for the entire population. Subjects that are within the broad field of population health include public health, prevention, social medicine, evidence-based medicine, and health care systems and finance. This course addresses key subjects within population health, with an emphasis on helping students understand the systems and environment that influence health and health care delivery.

The course is comprised of content units on a diverse range of subjects. These subjects converge as part of the systems that comprise and influence the health and care of a single person. For each subject, the material will address the topic to an introductory depth, with attention to tailoring the material to the experience and knowledge base of a pre-clinical, second year student. The selected topics have particular relevance at this point in the curriculum as students prepare to transition to the clinical environment.

For 2011-12, six major topics are being addressed: health care finance, public health, social determinants of health, global health, patient safety, and health care reform. The learning modalities include self-study of background materials plus various application activities. The background materials will provide an opportunity to learn the basic knowledge on the topic, and include video presentations and selected readings. During the application activities, students will engage in problem-solving exercises, identify key issues, and participate in a unique simulation exercise.

The overall goal of the course is for students to develop a deeper understanding of the interconnected issues that influence the health of populations. After completing this course, students will be able to achieve the following objectives.

1. Discuss the relationship of socioeconomic differences to health status.
2. Discuss factors contributing to disparities in health care and potential interventions.
3. Outline variables that influence access to health care.
4. Discuss the special needs of vulnerable populations in Western Pennsylvania.
5. Explain public, corporate and personal sources of health care dollars.
6. Explain the differences between Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance.
7. Describe the challenges faced by patients attempting to understand their health insurance choices.
8. Understand how data on global health measures affect policy change and development.
9. Describe the core functions of public health.
10. Describe basic concepts in infectious disease epidemiology, including herd immunity, ring treatment and eradication.
11. Explain how interventions aimed at a population benefit the individual and the community.
12. Discuss the public policy implications of health care reform and the related challenges faced by physicians and patients. 

13. Define health care quality, medical error and adverse outcome.

14. Discuss the impact of medical error and the importance of communication and teamwork in preventing error.

The 28 course faculty are from 5 departments (Emergency Medicine; Cell Biology and Physiology; Family Medicine; Medicine; and Pediatrics), the Graduate School of Public Health, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, and from social service agencies in the Pittsburgh region.

 

Educational Methods

Large group didactic session Self-study assignments   Poverty simulation exercise     Small group exercises Written assignments

Evaluation

To achieve a satisfactory grade, a student must complete all assignments and participate in all face-to-face sessions.

Grading: This course comprises 100% of the grade for the Physician, Patient and Society Block, Section 3. The block section is graded Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory.

 

Faculty Note

Course Director Gregory Bump, MD, is a recipient of the William I. Cohen Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills Instruction. Beth Piraino, MD, is a recipient of the Kenneth E. Schuit Master Educator Award. In addition, Drs. Bump and Piraino; Diemthuy Bui, MD; Hollis Day, MD; Harish Jasti, MD; and John Mahoney, MD, are members of the UPSOM Academy of Master Educators.