Training medical students in the social determinants of health: the Health Scholars Program at Puentes de Salud

Figures & data

Table 1 Health Scholars Program curriculum overview

Month	Didactic activities	Experiential learning activities
1	Lecture: Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Group reflection session
2	Lecture: Latino Immigrants in Philadelphia and the United States Training: Helping Immigrants Navigate the Health Care System Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Individual written reflection Community service project: • Introduction session
3	Lecture: Links Between Education and Health Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Group reflection session Community service project: • Brainstorming session
4	Lecture: Providing Primary Care in Under-resourced Settings and Innovative Care Models Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Individual written reflection Community service project: • Brainstorming session • Interviews with community stakeholders
5	Lecture: Integrating the Social Determinants of Health into the Practice of Medicine Training: How to Access and Analyze Immigrant Health Databases Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud 2 hours of shadowing a community program Group reflection session Community service project: • Planning session • Coordinating with community stakeholders
6	Lecture: The Relationship Between Public Policy and Health: A Case Study of Immigration Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Individual written reflection Community service project: • Implementation • Evaluation planning • Coordination with community stakeholders
7	Lecture: Occupations and Health Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud 2 hours of shadowing a community program Group reflection session Community service project: • Implementation • Evaluation • Coordination with community stakeholders
8	Lecture: Mental Health in US Latino Immigrants Training: Legislative Advocacy Workshop Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Individual written reflection Community service project: • Implementation • Evaluation
9	Lecture: Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Latin America Select readings and discussion	8 hours of volunteer service at Puentes de Salud Group reflection session Community service project: • Group presentations • Dissemination to community

Table 2 Puentes de Salud programs involving Health Scholars Program students

Programs addressing social determinants of health	Collaborating disciplinesa	Program goals/objectives
After-school tutoring program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade	Dentistry, Education, Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Public Health, Undergraduate, Visual Arts	• Provides individualized assistance with homework assignments • Engages students in art projects and other educational activities • Offers the following pediatric primary care and preventive services: vision testing, audiometry, vaccines, body mass index screening, nutrition education, and dental screening and referral
Art therapy program for adolescents	Medicine, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, Visual Arts	• Screens adolescents for post-traumatic stress by clinical psychologist • Treats post-traumatic stress using art and behavioral therapy by licensed professionals in both disciplines
Backyard gardening program	Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health, Undergraduate, Urban Planning	• Helps families build and maintain gardens on their properties • Provides technical assistance (eg, composting workshop) • Includes nutrition education by Penn State Agricultural Extension
Charlas program	Business, Dentistry, Education, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Public Health, Undergraduate, Urban Planning, Visual Arts	• Educates patients and families in the clinic waiting room about important nonmedical topics (eg, financial literacy, winter storm preparedness, and immigration rights) • Uses audiovisual aids and paper handouts to enhance understanding and retention of content
English as a second language	Education, Medicine, Public Health, Undergraduate	• Offers courses at three levels of English proficiency
Food assistance program	Medicine, Public Health, Urban Planning	• Screens individuals for eligibility for food assistance programs • Provides weekly, affordable food deliveries to families, in partnership with a local nonprofit organization focused on food access
Latino outreach immigration services project	Law, Medicine, Public Health	• Screens Puentes de Salud patients for the presence of immigration-related legal issues • Provides specialized legal immigration services to eligible individuals through a partnership with an immigrant legal advocacy organization
Prenatal education classes	Medicine, Nursing, Public Health	• Uses standard curriculum Comenzando Bien (March of Dimes^©) • Emphasizes the importance of social support throughout pregnancy and beyond • Identifies the role of the environment in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child
Promotora program	Dentistry, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Psychology, Undergraduate, Urban Planning	• Offers individual and group education about environmental health, family well-being, women’s health, nutrition, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes • Provides patient navigation for health services • Holds educational sessions in a variety of community-based settings: Puentes de Salud, local churches, and other nonprofit organizations
Victim/witness program	Medicine, Public Health, Undergraduate	• Coordinates medical, social, and legal services for victims of violent crimes, through a partnership with a local nonprofit organization focused on victims of violence

Note:

a Collaborating disciplines are listed in alphabetical order.

Figure 1 Student evaluations of the Health Scholars Program (Fall 2013).^a

Note: ^a1= strongly disagree and 5= strongly agree ± standard deviation.