MS-2: Population Health

October 25, 2023-February 14, 2024

Course Director
Alfred Shoukry, MD
Clinical Instructor
Department of Medicine
shoukrya@upmc.edu

Course Description

Medical education excels at preparing physicians to care for patients during individual interactions in which a patient is diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider. 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 major topics are addressed include basic principles of population health, the role of public health departments, the opportunity for physicians to advocate with the legislature, the role of public policy to influence health, patient safety, quality improvement, understanding health insurance and social determinants of health. For each content area, 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 overall goal of the course is for students to develop a deeper understanding of the interconnected issues that influence the health of populations.

Course Objectives

  1. Describe strategies for physicians to improve the health of their patient population.
  2. Discuss the relationship of socioeconomic differences to health status.
  3. Discuss factors contributing to disparities in health care and potential interventions.
  4. Outline variables that influence access to health care.
  5. Discuss the special needs of vulnerable populations in Western Pennsylvania.
  6. Explain public, employer and personal sources of health care payment.
  7. Explain the differences between Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance.
  8. Describe the challenges faced by patients attempting to understand their health insurance choices.
  9. Define health care quality, medical error and adverse outcome.
  10. Discuss the impact of medical error and the importance of communication and teamwork in preventing error.

Educational Methods

The learning modalities include an introductory lecture, movie and video presentations, on-line independent self-study, writing exercises and small and large group interactive exercises.

Evaluation

Grading for the course is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. To achieve a satisfactory grade, students must attain a passing grade of 80% on each of the 3 quizzes individually. Attendance is required at all small group sessions.


Requests for excused absences should be submitted here. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.