A Rapid-Response Curricular Approach to Teaching Politically Charged Topics
Janet B. Henrich, Katherine A. Gielissen, Cynthia F. McNamara, Shefali Pathy, Allister F. Hirschman, Joseph X. Canarie, Mukta Dhond, Ilana Richman, Tracy L. Rabin, Luz Vasquez, John EncandelaBackground Residency education in the United States faces challenges from evolving external influence on evidence-based reproductive and gender-affirming health care (R/GAHC). Curricula must incorporate information and resources to assist residents in navigating changes.
Objective To illustrate a process for expeditiously adapting curriculum in response to changing laws affecting R/GAHC.
Methods A 6-step model was used to tailor an R/GAHC module within an existing curriculum. Steps included identifying the medical education problem; conducting needs assessments with residents and educators; and designing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum. The module was piloted in 2022 with internal medicine residents in 3 training programs at one institution during 4-hour small-group academic half-days. We evaluated the module’s feasibility with time and cost analysis and residents’ self-reported readiness to provide R/GAHC through essential tasks and knowledge. We evaluated acceptability by assessing whether residents and educators engaged in and completed the curriculum, and evidence of administrative support.
Results A needs assessment clarified the educational problem as an urgent need to educate residents on the implications of legal changes affecting R/GAHC. Curriculum planning occurred over 2 months and implementation over 3 months. Of 175 eligible residents, 164 (94%) were trained. Evaluation showed that the curriculum was well received by residents, whose post-training self-assessment showed readiness to provide R/GAHC. Faculty time to plan and implement the module was substantial (estimated 207 person hours), yet participation was consistent, and administrative commitment constant.
Conclusions We demonstrated a generalizable approach for expeditiously tailoring curricula to prepare residents to navigate changing laws affecting health care provision.