Inner City Community Oriented Primary Care to Improve Medical Student Skills and Combat Obesity

Abstract

Background: Efforts to increase medical student knowledge regarding obesity are needed in medical school curriculum. This article examines a third year medical student intervention utilizing obesity group visits.

Description: In our third-year family medicine clerkship, we implemented the Health not Cosmetics pilot intervention as part of a Community Oriented Primary Care experience. The intervention consisted of weekly group visits run by third and fourth year medical students to teach lifestyle modification. To evaluate the intervention, medical students filled out an anonymous departmental evaluation form and patients were surveyed using a short questionnaire during a group visit.

Evaluation: Medical students rated the intervention as meeting or exceeding expectations and as improving Community Oriented Primary Care skills, especially in the following areas: identifying community needs, participating in an intervention, collecting data and presenting results. Patients adopted more active lifestyles and healthier eating habits.

Conclusion: This intervention was well received by medical students and patients.