Social justice: The heart of medical education

Authors

  • Allen L. Hixon Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii
  • Seiji Yamada Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii
  • Paul E. Farmer Department of Global Health and Social Medicine Harvard Medical School
  • Gregory G. Maskarinec Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Keywords:

social justice, medical education

Abstract

Building on the long-standing institution of the Hippocratic Oath, the authors suggest that all physicians- in-training must be taught the principles affirmed by the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata. Physicians should recognize that health is a fundamental human right and that gross inequalities in health care are unacceptable for moral, political, social, and economic reasons. Incorporating an explicit focus on social justice in medical education will lead to the training of physicians who understand that to advance the goal of “health for all” they must work toward more equitable distribution of health care and the elimination of health disparities, both within the U.S. and internationally. Learning to understand the social determinants of health, to advocate for equitable health system change, and to advance social justice throughout their careers should be the focus of this training. As this training prepares leaders to press for system change in the U.S., it also aligns with the global trend of recognizing human rights as a core competency of medical education.

Author Biographies

Allen L. Hixon, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Chair/Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Seiji Yamada, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Paul E. Farmer, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine Harvard Medical School

Kolokotrones University Professor, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Gregory G. Maskarinec, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii

Associate Professor/Director of Research, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii

Downloads

Published

2013-01-16