Health Equity
Program Description
The mandate of the U of C Enhanced Skills Health Equity: Local and Global Care Program (Global Health) is to produce: Humble, reflective and service-oriented family doctors who possess the advanced skills required to lead the creation of equitable, compassionate and socially-conscious care, for individuals and populations who are at increased risk of suffering, no matter where they dwell. Individuals and populations considered to be at increased risk of suffering may include but are not limited to: indigenous, persons experiencing poverty, substance use disorders, homelessness, oppressed, incarcerated, ethnic minorities, migrants, colonized, women, children, the elderly, LGBTQ2 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited); the already ill … and anyone else who lacks access to equity in determinants of health. Determinants of health are any factors that change health outcomes for individuals and populations. Determinants of health may therefore include but are not limited to: power, socioeconomic status (SES), gender, gender identity, geography and the physical environment, peace and conflict, food security, access to transportation and other resources, social supports, politics, belief systems, culture, social structure, patterns and norms, culture, language, ethnicity, freedom, abilities, age, marital status, and health itself.
Health Equity (formerly Global Health) Program Key Competencies:
Medical (Global Health) Expert
The global family doctor will provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, effective, evidence-informed, and patient-centered care to a diverse population. This care shall be deeply informed by determinants of health.
Communicator
The global family doctor will communicate effectively with patients, families, community members, the interdisciplinary team, policy makers, and any other stakeholders, with respect and humility across differences such as language, gender, culture, literacy, status and power.
Collaborator
The global family doctor will work well not only with patients, families, and their communities, but also in solidarity with all multidisciplinary stakeholders and interests in health and its determinants. They will aim for reciprocity and sustainability in all partnerships and alliances, whether therapeutic or professional.
Advocate
The global family doctor will champion equitable access for all, to health and its determinants. Using their influence mindfully, they will promote the highest standard of care possible, while carefully considering the attributes of the patient or community for whom they care.
Manager/Leader
Global family doctors carefully develop and attend to the leadership role ascribed to them by society, in order to strengthen multi-disciplinary health care teams and delivery systems. They advocate for accountability, transparency, and a preferential option for those at higher risk of suffering, while giving consideration to local resources and context.
Scholar
The global family doctor will master and apply methods and strategies that are adapted to the unique needs of the patients and communities with whom they work, in the creation, dissemination, application and translation of knowledge
(Adapted directly from Redwood-Campbell et al. 2011).
Professional
The global family doctor will have an attitude and manner that recognizes the dignity of every human being. They will exemplify the core values of global health practice including: equity, interdisciplinary, diplomacy, social justice, solidarity, reciprocity, accountability, respect, humility, and sustainability.
This conscientious practitioner will possess the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to care for him or herself well over the course of their global health career.
Core themes include
Refugee and immigrant health
Indigenous health
Infectious disease including HIV, TB, and hepatitis
Inner-city health