Breaking the Barrier: An Interdisciplinary Curriculum Boosts Resident Preparation in Women’s Health and Health Disparities Education

An interdisciplinary curriculum has been successfully implemented in Internal Medicine residency programs to improve education in women’s health, gender-affirming care, and health disparities. Led by Janet Henrich, MD, and developed by a collaborative team of faculty from various disciplines, including Internal Medicine; Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Surgery; and community experts, this curriculum consists of half-day modules on interconnected topics, emphasizing health equity and interactive learning.

Since its implementation in 2015 for approximately 175 residents annually, the curriculum’s impact has been evaluated through anonymous surveys. The data from 2022-2023 revealed that 90% of the 131 resident respondents felt adequately prepared to apply the skills they had learned. There was a consistent trend of increased comfort with the material observed across previous years. The curriculum was specifically praised for its interactive teaching methods and direct learning experiences from community members and peers.

This innovative educational approach has proven effective in enhancing resident learning and readiness. The team hopes that this success can be replicated in other medical training programs to address crucial issues in women’s and gender-affirming care education and create a more equitable healthcare environment. For more information, refer to the article “It Takes a Village: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Preparing Internal Medicine Residents to Care for Patients at the Intersection of Women’s Health, Gender-Affirming Care, and Health Disparities” in the Journal of Women’s Health, authored by Henrich JB, Richman I, Rabin TL, Gielissen KA, Dhond M, Canarie JX