MCLIN 141 - CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN MEDICINE PART 1

[12 Hours]

LSUHSC New Orleans School of Medicine (LSUHSC-NO SOM) aims to educate students in order to produce culturally competent physicians who can deliver high quality care to all members of society regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, geographic origin, or socioeconomic background. Critical consciousness involves the ability to recognize and analyze systemic and institutional inequity and racism, as well as a commitment to take action against them. The Critical Consciousness in Medicine (CCM) course focuses on helping our students understand critical consciousness as it relates to the care and health of their future patients. Part 1 of the CCM course thread provides an orientation to important concepts for students to instill professionalism, humanism, cultural openness, and humility while inspiring a world-view that is inclusive and oriented towards moral action. It is followed by Parts 2, 3, and 4 with the ultimate goal of providing a cohesive 2-year curriculum in critical consciousness. CCM Part 1 builds on prior student-d riven work at LSUHSC-NO SOM. The course director and other faculty members work with selected second year students to develop and implement seminars for first year students throughout the first semester. The topics for seminars are determined by a group of faculty and students. Seminars are facilitated by second year students in small groups, with a focus on pre-assigned reading materials and discussions based on prompt questions. Each student who participates is required to submit a written reflection on their learning and perspectives following each seminar. Students who participate in all discussions and submit all reflections within the required time frame will receive a Pass in the course. Examples of topics covered include health disparities, social determinants of health, microaggressions, sexuality, privilege and implicit bias. Topics may be adjusted according to student needs and relevant social events.