The Medical IT curriculum for local public health promotion is designed to provide information technology training to healthcare providers and other community members. The goal is to improve the health status of the community and promote public wellness. Several challenges confront the healthcare industry today, including increasing chronic disease rates and lifestyle-related health problems. A new initiative in the UAE will help healthcare professionals tackle these challenges with technology-based solutions. A team-based approach will be essential to the success of the new program.
Traditional medical curricula are aligned with disease progression, not with patient conditions. Current clinical training emphasizes scientific analysis and testing, and does not focus on the prevention and control of chronic diseases. This lack of alignment results in a more complicated health care system that is not as effective in improving the overall quality of care for patients. The medical IT curriculum, therefore, should be aligned with community needs, and the objectives of local public health promotion.
A new initiative in the UAE University incorporates a self-directed HP project as part of the curriculum. Students complete this self-directed learning project to gain knowledge and skills about HP practice. The project focuses on community health issues, and will require students to do literature research on the topic. Further reading is also encouraged. The final product should include a discussion with local public health promotion clinical faculty. The course will prepare students for the next step of their careers as healthcare professionals.
The curriculum at the University of Delaware was overhauled in 2011. One of the changes was the addition of an HP project, which is now part of the second-year curriculum. No other university offers this type of project as part of their curricula. The purpose of the project is to help medical students learn relevant knowledge and skills to practice as a public health professional. Currently, the Medical IT curriculum is aligned with testing and disease processes, which are not conducive to preventing chronic conditions.
A major change to the curriculum took place in 2011. The HP project is now integrated into the second-year curriculum at the UAEU. This HP project is a major self-directed learning task that introduces students to public health and HP practice. It requires the use of problem-solving skills, writing, and teamwork. In the UAE, the curriculum for local public health promotion is aligned with the current educational model.
The curriculum at UAEU is a blend of traditional and modern medical practices. It emphasizes scientific analysis of pathophysiology and reinforces clinical skills. Consequently, the current medical education curriculum does not reflect the needs of the community. Rather, it focuses on testing and diagnosis and is not aligned with the public health sector’s mission. Moreover, the course does not offer any courses related to healthcare.
