The impact of socially-accountable, community-engaged medical education on graduates in the Central Philippines: Implications for the global rural medical workforce. (3rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siega-Sur, J. L.; Woolley, T.; Ross, S. J.; Reeve, C.; Neusy, A-J.
• Is Part Of: Medical teacher. Volume 39:Number 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1084
• Page End: 1091
• Publication Date: 2017-10-03
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2017.1354126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-159X

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Developing and retaining a high quality medical workforce, especially within low-resource countries has been a world-wide challenge exacerbated by a lack of medical schools, the maldistribution of doctors towards urban practice, health system inequities, and training doctors in tertiary centers rather than in rural communities. Aim: To describe the impact of socially-accountable health professional education on graduates; specifically: their motivation towards community-based service, preparation for addressing local priority health issues, career choices, and practice location. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of graduates from two medical schools in the Philippines: the University of Manila-School of Health Sciences (SHS-Palo) and a medical school with a more conventional curriculum. Results: SHS-Palo graduates had significantly ( p < 0.05) more positive attitudes to community service. SHS-Palo graduates were also more likely to work in rural and remote areas ( p < 0.001) either at district or provincial hospitals ( p = 0.032) or in rural government health services ( p < 0.001) as Municipal or Public Health Officers ( p < 0.001). Graduates also stayed longer in both their first medical position ( p = 0.028) and their current position ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: SHS-Palo medical graduates fulfilled a key aim of their socially-accountable institution to develop a health professional workforce willing and able, and have a commitment to work in underserved rural communties.