Beyond witnesses: Moving health workers towards analysis and action on social determinants of health. Issue 1 (10th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olirus Owilli, Alex; Voller, Vanessa K.; Martin, Wanda; Compton, Roslyn M.; Westerhaus, Michael
• Is Part Of: World medical & health policy. Volume 14:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2022-02-10
• Subjects: health advocacy -- health worker education -- social determinants of health -- social medicine; Medical policy -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2153-2028

Abstract

Abstract: Although critical knowledge of social determinants of health empowers health professionals to confront the causes of inequitable health outcomes, healthcare professionals continue to feel powerless when faced with upstream social and structural issues. Using a case of the social medicine course conducted in Northern Uganda, and the 2016/2017 Uganda medical interns' movement, we examine the significance of social medicine education in enhancing healthcare professionals' skills set to address a structural force—medical internship policy. Data sources included key informants, policy documents, blogs, Facebook posts, and YouTube Videos. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Healthcare workers drawing on critical skills and knowledge from the social medicine course training could perform self‐ and problem‐analysis centered within power dynamics; identify avenues to communicate issues of concern; implement constructive dialog and collaborate with stakeholders to influence and halt a medical internship policy discourse through protest on streets and legal channels. Social medicine training and principles empower health workers to function as actors with the required skills and knowledge to initiate and sustain tactical, effective, and meaningful health advocacy directed towards altering social determinants of health that perpetuate social disadvantage with subsequent impact on population health outcomes. Key points: Learning through critical reflection raises consciousness of healthcare workers on the facets of injustices and the need to act through health advocacy. Constructing an understanding of the complex social, economic, and political forces that impact health outcomes; and knowledge of organizing skills can serve to inspire healthcare workers to act to challenge policy/structural discourses that advance health inequities. A collective mentality to social determinants of health entails the practitioner identifying a problem/issue and working to understand other persons both within and outside the health structure, who might be interested or are working to address the same or similar issue. Implementing a health advocacy project builds self‐confidence and motivates healthcare workers to act in the presence of an injustice.