Intersessions C – Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion  

Intersession C (C1 & C2): This course is a one week intensive, horizons phase course conducted in person at the university campus where 4th year medical students participate in engaged learning experiences with a focus on skill acquisition and competency assessment in the realm of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.  This course is a component of the Medicine and the Human Experience Curriculum. 

Learning Objectives Include: 

1. Demonstrate graduation level ability to navigate barriers to patient care (system barriers, SDOH factors, racism related inequities)
2. Contribute to the UMass Chan academic community by working with/mentoring more junior trainees during defined vertical activity (PCHC, pathways)
3. Demonstrate graduation level competence in advanced communication scenarios including patient handoffs, challenging/end of life conversations, obtaining contest and shared decision making
4. Use a critical appraisal tool to evaluate peer reviewed publications in journal club format to inform patient care.
5. Recognize and address the impact of societal constructs of race on healthcare outcomes. Understand the importance of providing equitable care to patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
6. Recognize the need for lifelong commitment to self-reflection and critique to redress power imbalances in healthcare, fostering partnerships with patients based on mutual respect and understanding of cultural contexts.
7. Acknowledge and learn to address healthcare disparities faced by sexual minority individuals, transgender and non-binary patients, and intersex individuals. Learn how to advocate for affirming and inclusive care that respects diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and anatomical sex across the lifespan. Understand the barriers to accessing gender-affirming medical interventions.
8. Recognize the access issues in healthcare environments for individuals with disabilities, learn how to advocate for policies and practices that support their full participation and autonomy in healthcare and society.
9. Understand the outcome of weight stigma and bias in healthcare, learn about Health at Every Size (HAES) principles, and study the impact of positive body image and acceptance in clinical practice and patient care.

FEB 10 2025 | cjb