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. 2020 Jul 21;20(1):232.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-020-02143-z.

A student-led curriculum framework for homeless and vulnerably housed populations

Syeda Shanza Hashmi  1 , Ammar Saad  2   3 , Caroline Leps  4 , Jamie Gillies-Podgorecki  5 , Brandon Feeney  6 , Courtney Hardy  4 , Nicole Falzone  4 , Doug Archibald  7 , Tuan Hoang  8 , Andrew Bond  9 , Jean Wang  1 , Qasem Alkhateeb  10 , Danielle Penney  11 , Amanda DiFalco  12 , Kevin Pottie  13
Affiliations

A student-led curriculum framework for homeless and vulnerably housed populations

Syeda Shanza Hashmi et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Medical student demands for competency based homeless health education is increasing. Indeed, humans living homeless is a treatable health and social emergency. This innovation report outlines the initial development of an education framework for homeless health.

Methods: A medical student task force and educators conducted a mixed method study, including a scoping review of homeless health curriculum and competencies, a cross-country survey of medical students, and unique clinical guidelines. The task force collaborated with persons with lived experience and clinical guideline developers from the Homeless Health Research Network. The students presented at the Toronto Homeless Health Summit and refined the framework with feedback from homeless health experts.

Results: The main outcome was an evidence-based Homeless Health Curriculum Framework. It uses seven core competencies; with communication, advocacy, leadership, and upstream approaches playing the strongest roles. The framework integrated the new clinical guideline (housing, income assistance, case management and addiction). In addition, it identified approaches to support mental health care with trauma informed and patient centered care. It identified public health values, clinical objectives, and case studies. The framework aims to inform the design, delivery, service learning and evaluation for medical school curriculum.

Conclusions: This student-led curriculum framework can support the design, implementation, delivery and evaluation of homeless health within the undergraduate medical curriculum. The framework can lay the foundation for new doctors, research and development; support consistency across programs; and support the creation of national learning and evaluation tools.

Keywords: CanMeds; Curricular framework; Health equity; Homeless and vulnerably housed populations; Social accountability.

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Conflict of interest statement

Kevin Pottie, as Primary Investigator, received homeless health clinical guideline project funding from ICHA (Inner City Health Associates).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Framework for Development Approach. This describes parallel processes between the Homeless Health Research Network and the Task Force on Homelessness
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Visual representation of scoping review results
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Visual representation of the homeless health education framework for undergraduate medical students
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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