U-M Physicians Call for National Curriculum in Health Policy at Medical Schools

University of Michigan physicians emphasize the need for educating medical students and residents on health care systems and policies to better navigate the complexities of healthcare. In a New England Journal of Medicine article, two U-M physicians and a U-M Medical School graduate argue that without adequate training in health policy, physicians are unprepared to address critical issues affecting patient care. The authors propose a national curriculum in health policy, tailored to regional needs, and recommend early pilot projects to standardize the education of medical students and residents.

Key Takeaways:

• Less than half of graduating medical students in the U.S. report receiving adequate training in understanding health care systems and the economics of practicing medicine (Davis, 2011).
• Physicians who lack knowledge on health care systems and insurance policies do a disservice to their patients (Lypson, 2011).
• The University of Michigan Medical School has added an elective course in health care policy, which is fully enrolled and demonstrates the demand for such training.
• The authors recommend a multidisciplinary faculty for conducting health policy training, including experts in health economics, sociology, business, and psychology.
• Patients are increasingly demanding knowledge about health care systems and policies from their physicians (Lypson, 2011).

Statistics:

• Less than half of graduating medical students in the U.S. report receiving adequate training in understanding health care systems and the economics of practicing medicine (Less than 50%, Davis, 2011).
• The University of Michigan Medical School's elective course in health care policy is fully enrolled.
• The proposal for a national curriculum in health policy recommends focusing on four concentrations: health care systems, health care quality, value and equity, and health politics and law.

Sources:

• Davis, M. M., Patel, M. S., & Lypson, M. (2011, February 17). Education in Health Care Systems for Medical Students in the United States and Canada. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(8), 712-715.
• University of Michigan Health System. (n.d.). About the University of Michigan Health System.
• Davis, M. M. (2011, February 24). U-M physicians call for national curriculum in health policy at medical schools. PR Newswire.