Medical Schools, Students See Gaps in Policy Education

Students at Harvard did start thinking about the broader issue of healthcare policy nearly ten years ago. That's when they launched the website, improveyourhealth.org. It supplements the policy issues that they don't get covered in the classroom or in residency.

This year, Harvard medical students have added something called "journal clubs," a small gathering of about 20-50 students who get together to discuss case studies on health policy.

Joanne Conroy MD, Chief Health Care officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges, says it's time to step up healthcare policy education at medical schools. 

"Everybody's doing things within their own institutions, and there's probably a place for a very thoughtful curriculum to help educate future health professionals."

The AAMC is looking into forming a working group to address the issue, and Conroy believes they're close to coming up with a formal proposal for curriculum that could work during residency.