Integrating public health in a medical problem-based curriculum: The Arabian Gulf University experience

Integrating Public Health in a Medical Problem-Based Curriculum: The Arabian Gulf University Experience
 Randah R Hamadeh, BSc, MSc, DPhil , Khaldoon A Al Roomi
MD, MPH, PhD, FRSH

The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) is a joint endeavor of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Since its inception in 1982, the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (CMMS), AGU adopted a problem-based community oriented curriculum. The medical program comprises of three phases: premedical, preclerkship and clerkship, with the main contribution of community medicine being in the first two phases. The input in the premedical phase is through a structured program in biostatistics and epidemiology whereas in the preclerkship phase, it is developed within health problems along with a community program involving maternal and child health, family studies and community oriented research activities.
Such an innovative curriculum includes case studies which are either entirely or partially public health oriented problems. The case of "Conflict and its Aftermath" revolves around the 1991 oil fires of Kuwait which is an example of an environmental health problem addressing pollution. The investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak during Hajj demonstrates the epidemiologist's role as a health detective in investigating and controlling an epidemic. Further, the threat of a pandemic is displayed through a case on avian flue. Social and disaster epidemiology and basic concepts of demography are introduced in the “Traumatized Population” problem  based on the life of Palestinian refugees.
Moreover, the main concepts of evidence-based public health are learnt through workshops and field projects while the community oriented research projects provide medical students with opportunities to investigate public health issues in their respective countries of residence.
Thus, the medical curriculum at AGU does not only equip graduates with clinical skills, but also prepares them to act as public health advocates.