Covid-19 fosters social accountability in medical education

• Published in: Rural and remote health Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Murray, Richard, Cristobal, Fortunato, Shrestha, Shrijana, Tandinco, Filedito D, De Maeseneer, Jan M, Verma, Sarita, Dharamsi, Shafik, Willems, Sara, Kaufman, Arthur, Pálsdóttir, Björg, Neusy, Andre-Jacques, Larkins, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Townsville QLD James Cook University 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Accountability; community-based education; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 (Disease); Education, Medical; Health disparities; Health Workforce; Humans; Medical education; Medical personnel; Pandemics; Personnel management; primary health care; Rural areas; Rural health care; Rural health services; social accountability; social mission; Social aspects; Social Responsibility; Telemedicine; Training of; Australia; COVID-19; community-based education; primary health care; medical education; social accountability; social mission
• ISSN: 1445-6354; 1445-6354
• DOI: 10.22605/RRH6998

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted embedded inequities and fragmentation in our health systems. Traditionally, structural issues with health professional education perpetuate these. COVID-19 has highlighted inequities, but may also be a disruptor, allowing positive responses and system redesign. Examples from health professional schools in high and low- and middle-income countries illustrate pro-equity interventions of current relevance. We recommend that health professional schools and planners consider educational redesign to produce a health workforce well equipped to respond to pandemics and meet future need.