Russell, Camishade Onís, CatalinaGould, Christine2023-08-182023-08-182023https://hdl.handle.net/1794/2867252 pagesThis thesis proposes a mandatory class in Medical Equity and Ethics for Human Physiology majors at the University of Oregon, the majority of whom pursue a career in healthcare. Healthcare professionals need to understand not only the details of how the body functions, but also the people whose bodies and minds are placed in our care. We will not solely treat heart disease, pulled muscles, or gum disease; rather we will treat people with those conditions. Advances in data collection and analysis have highlighted healthcare inequalities at the same time advances in health care continue to call into question basic tenants of what is life and what is death. There is a spotlight on healthcare ethics and inequities that we, as future medical providers, have a duty to acknowledge - not just for the benefit of our patients but for the system itself. Given the many health inequalities that exist in healthcare, it is imperative to educate potential healthcare workers on issues of social equity and medical ethics so that healthcare experience is improved both individually and systemically. UO currently does have classes on medical ethics and racial discrimination, but these are not classes that are explicitly required for Human Physiology (HPHY) students nor are they tailored to the situations and circumstances that HPHY students are likely to encounter in their future careers. This thesis describes a proposed new HPHY requirement for a class covering topics related to social equity and ethics in the healthcare field. I have identified three major topics: social determinants of health, patient centered care, and medical ethics. Social determinants of health bring to light disparities in mortality and morbidity experienced by various social and socioeconomic groups. Patient centered care defines a respectful and compassionate partnership between the care provider and the patient and their support system that considers culture and values while promoting shared decision making to provide safe and effective holistic care. Medical Ethics introduces the principles and values of healthcare that guide ethical decision making and gives students the opportunity to apply those principles to medical dilemmas in peer discussions. For each of these topics, I propose required and suggested readings and summarize the pertinent information, identify key points, advance topics for discussion, assign dilemma case studies, and identify learning objectives to ensure understanding of the fundamental ideas. This proposed new requirement will ensure all HPHY students are given early exposure to equity and ethical issues and provided opportunities to analyze difficult situations and to discuss relevant values and solutions in a classroom setting. Ideally those aspiring to healthcare professions are interested in both the science of health and the care of patients. As it stands, the HPHY major educates students in the science of the human body. This mandated class concentrating on issues of medical equity, patient centered care, and medical ethics, will complement the current curriculum and promote holistic medicine which cares for the body, mind, and soul of each patient and their communities.en-USCC BY-NC-ND 4.0physiologyhealthcareeducationequityethicsThesis/Dissertation0009-0002-7284-0685