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INTRODUCTION: Medical providers' attitudes about caring for vulnerable populations have significant implications for persistent health disparities. Therefore, assessing medical students' self-perceived knowledge about community-based medicine and care for underserved populations can provide insights for improving health care delivery to achieve health equity. We evaluated third-year medical students' perceptions of their knowledge and attitudes about community medicine, and addressing health care needs of vulnerable populations. METHODS: From October 2, 2017 to July 12, 2019, third-year medical students at a private, urban medical school were asked to complete an assessment survey during their family medicine clerkship orientation. The anonymous survey assessed students' self-perceived knowledge and attitudes regarding community medicine and care of vulnerable populations. We examined differences in survey responses by student demographics. RESULTS: A total of 401 students participated in the survey; 50.5% of respondents agreed that they had knowledge to assess health literacy of the patient, while only 22.2% of students agreed that they had knowledge about how to identify a community and conduct a community health needs assessment. Additionally, students agreed with being most comfortable providing care to adolescents (73.0%) and the elderly (69.5%), and that they were least comfortable caring for incarcerated individuals (31.7%) and immigrants/refugees (44.1%). CONCLUSION: Assessment of learners' self-perceived knowledge can help highlight areas for educational interventions. Our findings suggest the need for improving medical student knowledge in areas of community health and health care for specific vulnerable populations.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The population surrounding an urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Philadelphia has poorer health than Philadelphia overall. Community residents identified aerobics and dance classes as very important services or programs that an FQHC might provide. We sought to measure the impact of participation in a resident physician-led, patient-centered fitness and nutrition class on participants' attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy regarding their health. METHODS: An urban line dancing class and brief healthy eating intervention for adults was held at a YMCA adjacent to a residency-affiliated FQHC weekly for 8 weeks. Pre/postsurveys were administered to assess attitudes and confidence toward physical activity and healthy lifestyles. RESULTS: Participants' self-assessment of health and levels of physical activity improved. Confidence in performing everyday activities, doing regular exercise and exercising without making symptoms worse increased. A significant decrease in participants' physical activity gratification was observed. Participants' confidence improved in reading food labels for health, but confidence in eating a balanced diet did not improve. CONCLUSIONS: A resident-led fitness and nutrition class, tailored to perceived community needs, generated significant interest and sustained participation. This pilot study furthered development of community infrastructure addressing health, nutrition, and overall fitness, and the results reflect opportunities and challenges of engaging communities in physical fitness.