Political Action Day: A Student-Led Initiative to Increase Health Advocacy Training Among Medical Students

Authors

  • Harbir Gill University of Alberta
  • Peter Gill University of Alberta, University of Oxford
  • William Eardley University of Calgary
  • Thomas Marrie Dalhousie University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36525

Abstract

Background: Health advocacy is a critical aspect of the competent physician's role. It is identified as a core competency by several national physician regulatory organizations, yet few formal training programs exist. We developed an initiative to teach medical students health advocacy skills.

Methods: At Political Action Day, students from Alberta medical schools lobbied the provincial government. A day of training seminars preceded Political Action Day that focused on teaching health advocacy and communication strategies. The following day, medical students met with elected representatives at the Legislative Assembly. An entry and exit survey was administered to students.

Results: On October 26-27th, 2008, 40 students met with 38/83 (46%) elected representatives including the Minister of Health and Wellness. Feedback from students and politicians suggests the event was effective in teaching advocacy skills. This initiative inspired students to be politically active in the future.

Conclusions: Political Action Day helps fulfill the health advocacy competency objectives, and requires minimal curriculum time and resources for integration. It is an effective tool to begin teaching advocacy, and should be further expanded and replicated at other Canadian medical schools.

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Author Biographies

Harbir Gill, University of Alberta

Medical Student, Class of 2011, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta

Peter Gill, University of Alberta, University of Oxford

DPhil Candidate, Primary Health Care, Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford

MD/PhD Program, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta

William Eardley, University of Calgary

Medical Student, Class of 2010, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary

Thomas Marrie, Dalhousie University

Dean, Dalhousie Medical School, Dalhousie University

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Published

2010-07-07

How to Cite

1.
Gill H, Gill P, Eardley W, Marrie T. Political Action Day: A Student-Led Initiative to Increase Health Advocacy Training Among Medical Students. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2010 Jul. 7 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];1(2):e60-e69. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36525

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Section

Original Research