Teaching health policy to residents--three-year experience with a multi-specialty curriculum.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Most residents have limited education or exposure to health policy during residency. AIMS: We developed a course to (1) educate residents on health policy topics applicable to daily physician practice; (2) expose residents to health policy careers through visits with policy makers and analysts; (3) promote personal engagement in health policy. SETTING: Residents registered for a 3-week elective offered twice annually through the George Washington University Department of Health Policy. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The course format includes: daily required readings and small-group seminars with policy experts, interactive on-site visits with policy makers, and final team presentations to senior faculty on topical health policy issues. PROGRAM EVALUATION: One hundred thirty residents from 14 specialties have completed the course to date. Seventy completed our post-course survey. Most participants [59 (84%)] felt the course was very or extremely helpful. Participant self-ratings increased from pre- to post-course in overall knowledge of health policy [2 (3%) good or excellent before, 58 (83%) after], likelihood of teaching policy concepts to peers [20 (25%) vs. 62 (86%)], and likelihood of pursuing further health policy training [28 (37%) vs. 56 (82%)]. CONCLUSIONS: This 3-week elective in health policy improves self-reported knowledge and interest in health policy research, advocacy, and teaching.