Teaching social determinants of child health in a pediatric advocacy rotation: Small intervention, big impact

Melissa Kleina*b & Lisa M. Vaughnaca Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USAb MELISSA KLEIN, MD, is an assistant professor and her primary interests include resident education and underserved populations.c LISA M. VAUGHN, PhD, is an associate professor and she is formally trained as a social psychologist and medical educator with primary research interests in socio–cultural issues affecting the health of families, especially immigrant and minority populations.* Correspondence: Melissa Klein, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA 513-636-4506 513-636-7247 melissa.klein@cchmc.orgBackground: Traditionally, medical education does not specifically address the social determinants of health or how to advocate for families’ cultural, social or economic needs in spite of our increasingly diverse society.Aim: This article describes a new social–legal curriculum added to a Pediatric Resident's Advocacy course.Methods: Pediatric interns completed ‘Memos To Myself’ after the Advocacy rotation.Results: The curriculum impacted residents’ (1) realization regarding family circumstances; (2) reflections regarding self and personal practice; and (3) knowledge about advocacy issues and community partnerships for solutions.Conclusions: This curriculum raised awareness about topics that are traditionally not covered in medical education.