Embedding behavioral and social sciences across the medical curriculum: (Auto) ethnographic insights from medical schools in the United Kingdom

Journal article


Dikomitis, L., Wenning, B., Ghobrial, A. and Adams, K. M. 2022. Embedding behavioral and social sciences across the medical curriculum: (Auto) ethnographic insights from medical schools in the United Kingdom. Societies. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12040101
AuthorsDikomitis, L., Wenning, B., Ghobrial, A. and Adams, K. M.
Abstract

Key concepts and theories that are taught in order to develop cultural competency skills are often introduced to medical students throughout behavioral and social science (BSS) learning content. BSS represents a core component of medical education in the United Kingdom. In this paper, we examine, through (auto)ethnographic data and reflections, the experiences of BSS in medical education. The empirical data and insights have been collected in two ways: (1) through long-term ethnographic fieldwork among medical students and (2) via autoethnographic reflexive practice undertaken by the co-authors who studied, worked, examined, and collaborated with colleagues at different UK medical schools. Our findings indicate that despite BSS constituting a mandatory, essential component of the medical curriculum, medical students did not always perceive BSS as useful for their future practice as doctors, nor did they find it to be clinically relevant, in comparison to the biomedical learning content. We suggest that it is paramount for all stakeholders to commit to cultivating and developing cultural competency skills in medical education, through robustly embedding BSS learning content across the undergraduate medical curriculum. We conclude with recommendations for a wide range of educational practices that would ensure a full integration of BSS in the medical curriculum.

KeywordsMedical education; Qualitative research; Sociology; Anthropology; Psychology; Curriculum development; Health inequalities; Critical incident; Hidden curriculum; Disciplinary knowledge
Year2022
JournalSocieties
PublisherMDPI
ISSN2075-4698
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12040101
Official URLhttps://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/12/4/101
Publication dates
Online30 Jun 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted03 Jun 2022
Deposited02 May 2023
Accepted author manuscript
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/947yw/embedding-behavioral-and-social-sciences-across-the-medical-curriculum-auto-ethnographic-insights-from-medical-schools-in-the-united-kingdom

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