4 weeks
Course Director
William Walker, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
walkerw@pitt.edu
Course Director
Penelope Morel, MD
Professor
Department of Immunology
morel@pitt.edu
Course Director
Allison DeKosky, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
dekoskyas@upmc.edu
Course Director
Maria Guyette, MD, MPPM
Assistant Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
guyetteme@upmc.edu
Course Description
The “CSCS” course incorporates curriculum content and learning experiences that focus on two key areas: timely advances in basic and translational science and social determinants of health. This integrated course provides an opportunity to examine these topics in depth, and from multiple perspectives.
For a given topic, the presentations and workshops will address multiple dimensions. For example, the unit on vaccine development tackles both the science of the latest breakthroughs and the ethical challenges that will arise when a physician is counseling a parent who is considering not vaccinating their child against a serious disease. Sessions related to molecular medicine will illuminate how these innovations are transforming the approach to previously untreatable conditions.
Most course topics are presented in concise modules that span one or two days. A typical unit will include an element of background preparation (e.g., a video presentation or reading assignment); small group case discussions and workshop sessions; and a large group panel discussion or key topic lecture.
Course Objectives
- Students will be familiar with key advances in basic and translational science that can be applies to patient care.
- Students will be able to discuss the ethical, legal, and social issues associated with biomedical innovations such as genetic testing, genome, editing, novel drug therapies, and molecular medicine.
- Students will be prepared to consider and address social determinants of health as they care for patients.
- Students will be able to discuss the ethical challenges faced by health care organizations and public health agencies. Students will be able to discuss the public policy.
CAPSTONE PROJECT
The Capstone Project on Advocacy in Health Policy and Social Determinants of Health will be developed over the four weeks of the course.
Students will select a subject from a menu of current legislative subjects, and work in small groups to research the subject, select a viewpoint, and develop advocacy talking points and briefing materials. Once prepared, the class will travel to Washington to meet with legislators and staffers for a University of Pittsburgh Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Day. This trip is scheduled for the Thursday and Friday of the final week of the course.
COURSE TOPICS
- Genome editing (including CRISPR/Cas9)
- Rational vaccine development (including discussing vaccination with patients, and re-emergent infectious diseases)
- Personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics (including whole genome and exome sequencing, direct-to-consumer testing, and making the patient connection: how to explain genomic testing to your patient)
- Cancer risk prediction
- Beyond chemotherapy: new cancer therapeutics (including molecular and immunotherapy)
- New perspectives on old problems: Infection, Inflammation and the Microbiome
- Hepatitis C drug development: science and controversy
- Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
- Frontiers in the understanding and treatment of brain disorders
- Pain, addiction and the opioid epidemic
- Incorporating social determinants of health into practice: Micro, Meso and Macro levels
- Psychosocial and behavioral determinants of health and health care
- Access to health care and relationship of socioeconomic differences to health status
- Environment, health and illness (safety, food deserts, education, transportation)
- The evolution of health care insurance (Affordable Care Act, et al)
- Caring for diverse populations
- Advocacy in health policy – Capstone in Washington
Educational Methods
- Small group sessions
- Case discussions
- Capstone project
- Lectures
- Video presentations
- Panel discussions
- SP workshops
- Journal clubs
- Community site meetings
- Patient interviews
Evaluation
Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory