profession
Social, behavioral sciences important part of medical education, AAMC says
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 23, 2012
Educating future physicians in the many social and behavioral factors that influence health is crucial in providing patient-centered care and ultimately helping to decrease health disparities, according to a Jan. 12 report by the Assn. of American Medical Colleges.
"In addition to medical knowledge, a well-rounded physician must understand the cultural, familial, economic and demographic factors that affect health and disease," said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD.
The report describes how medical schools can incorporate important social and behavioral sciences into their curricula (link).
The report is intended to provide a framework that prepares medical students to tackle complex social issues and help patients change unhealthy behaviors that can lead to premature death or chronic disease.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/23/prbf0123.htm.