There is often a debate about whether medicine is an art or a science. Our medical curriculum tends to favour the science bit, with pathophysiology of diseases and treatment algorithms dominating our learning agenda. Social determinants of health also have equal importance in influencing one’s health, but are we taught enough to address this?

Timestamps:

0:00 - 3:15 Intro

3:16 - 7:19 How much do you get taught about social determinants of health at medical school

7:20 - 12:00 Do we apply what we learn in medical training about social determinants on health in actual clinical practice?

12:01 - 14:29 There is no easy one-size-fits-all managing social determinants of health

14:30 - 18:53 How do you adapt management plans according to the patient’s circumstances?

18:54 - 21:15 A medical student who has experienced homelessness before shares her insight

21:16 - 24:26 Importance of diversifying the demographic of medical students

24:27 - 28:10 The importance of empathy, compassion and being non-judgemental

29:20 - 34:20 Doctors make up the system that patients have to go through, and we can make the experience pleasant for patients

34:21 - 35:18 Vote for Lily as the next prime minister!

35:19 - 36:44 What medical students can do to address social determinants of health outside of medical capacity

36:45- 39:47 What you can do to learn more about social determinants of health in and outside of medical school

39:48 - 43:38 Final remarks

Expert guest:

Dr Andrew Moscrop (@andrewmoscrop on Twitter) is a GP working in a health centre for people who are homeless in Oxford and a researcher in social determinants of health.

Thank you to Maz Sadler who contributed to this episode.

Recommended reading:

If social determinants of health are so important, shouldn’t we ask patients about them? https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4150

*We’re looking for new panel members!*

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✅ Medical student

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