CREOG Health Equity Curriculum

Date of Review: July, 2023

This resource, created by the Council on Resident Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN; CREOG)-an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Division of Education, was created to educate Ob/Gyn resident physicians on the societal and behavioral forces that contribute to the health outcomes of patients and the unique role they play as physicians in advocating for patients’ needs. The curriculum begins with an introductory video on “Intersectionality of Race/Ethnicity and Sexuality in Obstetrics and Gynecology Education,” then proceeds into a discussion on “The History of Racism in Ob/Gyn,” which primarily focuses on the experiences of Black women. The curriculum continues to explore the large topic of health equity/disparity by separating it into 4 “buckets:” ‘Social Determinants of Health and Health Care Disparities,’ ‘Review of the medical literature on health disparities and health care disparities in OBGYN,’ ‘The impact of bias on the care of our patients,’ and ‘A practicum on assessing health disparities in your own patient populations.’ Each of these topics have resources provided to facilitators that include both a facilitator’s guide slide set of basic concepts and proposed discussion starters, as well as an annotated bibliography to highlight faculty, provide development resources, present flipped classroom options, and explore deeper dives into each subject matter through narrative medicine and book club activities and small group analysis/discussion. This resource does require some prior knowledge of the subject matter, however a novice in the field may simply review the curriculum and it’s provided resources to be well prepared to educate their audience. This easily implemented curriculum may be shared in one session or separated into multiple sessions, each lesson likely taking approximately 1 hour. -Cassandra Smith, DO, NCEAS

Institution:

ACOG

Where was the Curriculum Implemented:

Washington DC

Relevant clinical specialty

Family and Community Medicine, OBGYN/Women’s Health