AMSA Global Health Intensive

Name of the activity: AMSA Global Health Intensive

Country/NMO: Australia (AMSA)

Program: Ethics & Human Rights in Health

Contact information: [email protected] (+61400578097)and [email protected]

Type of the activity: Capacity Building (Training or Workshop). Teaching and develop knowledge, skills and techniques in a particular field. While training can have any form, workshops are more formal and also include exchange of information between participants.

General description:

The AMSA Global Health Intensive provides an intense training program for an intimate group of medical students interested in an issue of health inequity. The program deals with a different area each year, and is designed to develop lasting knowledge and skills in that area. Each year the topic is decided based on what medical students are looking for further training in, and the context of different issues at the time as well as the political climate.

This program cultivates qualities of compassion, patient-centered care and advocacy in students who are specifically passionate about a given issue. It strives for representation in its Organizing Committee and in the professional/community speakers who deliver academic sessions, providing opportunities for these communities to contribute to the dialogue and training of medical students. It targets inequity and issues in ethical healthcare, and develops meaningful change in developing a more culturally competent and skilled workforce.

Focus area:

Medical Ethics (Patient Centered Care, Good Medical Practice, direct doctor-patient relationship)

Problem statement:

AMSA Global Health Intensive provides 2-3 days of training in a specific area of health inequity for an intimate group of medical students. The training is focused on developing medical students with a better skill set in providing culturally appropriate and patient centered care. In 2018, this program focused on Indigenous Australian Health, specifically developing the cultural competence and understanding of students in this area. In 2019, the program will focus on Refugee Health and advocacy.

Target groups:

Medical students

Beneficiaries:

General population, Medical students, Doctors, Children, Youth, Refugees, Indigenous Australians

Objectives and indicators of success:

Understanding of the basic history and culture which informs issues in Indigenous Australian Health. Self-reported in evaluation.

Provide a platform for community members and professionals from the targeted focus group of the activity – reflected in the make up of the academic speakers.

Develop basic understanding and skills in campaigning – self-reported in evaluation.

Develop a lasting framework for similar events in the future – reflected in the shceduled 2019 program and increased uptake in 2019.

Begin developing skills in culturally competent care and communication – self-reported in evaluation, perceived confidence in these skills.

Develop a network of like-minded individuals – self-reported in evaluation.

create systems change without the NMO to deal with this in a more sustainable way – reflected in current consultation with the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association to create a “project” within AMSA

Methodology:

Begin planning of event.

Recruit an organizing committee.

Promote event.

Register delegates (cap of 50 to ensure intimacy of the event)

Create an academic program.

Execute the academic program.

Seek evaluation from delegates.

Report to AMSA and discuss outcomes and plans for change within AMSA to better reflect this interest group.

Plans for evaluation:

Evaluation following the AGHI.

The consensus understanding is that this education is poor in most medical schools.

Levels for confidence and engagement in this area was stronger after the event than before the event.