Climate change and health in medical school curricula: A national survey of medical students’ experiences, attitudes and interests - 22/03/23

Doi : 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100226

Sasha Létourneau ^a,^⁎ , Aishwarya Roshan ^b, George T. Kitching ^c, Julia Robson ^d, Celia Walker ^e, Chenchen Xu ^f, Daniel Jubas-Malz ^g, Edward Xie ^h,ⁱ
^a Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Western Ontario, St. Joseph's Health Care London, 268 Grosvenor St, Room D1-203a, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
^b Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
^c Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, 220 Bagot Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3G2, Canada
^d Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
^e Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary Alberta, Yellowknife, NWT T2N 1N4, Canada
^f Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
^g Klick Consulting, 175 Bloor Street East, Suite 300, North Tower, Toronto, ON M4W 3R8, Canada
^h Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
ⁱ University Health Network, 190 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada

^⁎Corresponding author.

connectez-vous ou créez un compte

Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
Article gratuit.

Connectez-vous pour en bénéficier!

Abstract

Background

Physicians play a critical role in addressing the health-related impacts of climate change. However, integration of education on the health effects of climate change into medical school curricula remains limited. Medical students are identified as both key stakeholders in curriculum development and leaders in curriculum change efforts. Student perspectives on the importance of learning about climate change and health are lacking and may help guide curricular growth. This study evaluates Canadian medical students’ experiences, attitudes and interests related to climate change and health in medical education.

Methods

A cross-sectional, population-based survey was developed, piloted and distributed to all students in Canadian medical schools who had completed ≥1 year of training by June 30, 2020. Responses were tabulated and characterized using descriptive statistics.

Results

In total, 1424 eligible respondents submitted the survey, representing 12.1% of all Canadian medical students. The sample included respondents from all years of study and every school, with the majority reporting no or low engagement with climate change advocacy (70.8%). Most students believed climate change is an important determinant of health (88.0%) that will affect their future patients’ health (89.6%) and that teaching on climate change should be formally incorporated into medical curricula (85.6%). A majority of students reported less teaching on climate change and health relative to other topics (85.0%) and most wanted more teaching (79.8%).

Conclusions

Respondents from Canadian medical schools expressed strong interest in learning about climate change and health. Our nationwide study identifies areas for curriculum development to address the health consequences of a changing climate.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Medical education, Climate change, Medical students, Planetary health, Curriculum development, Sustainable health systems

Abbreviations : Climate change and health