From Theory to Practice: An Innovative Interdisciplinary Curriculum Empowers Medical Residents in Women’s Health, Gender-Affirming Care and Health Disparities

An innovative interdisciplinary curriculum has been successfully integrated into Internal Medicine residency programs, with a focus on women’s health, gender-affirming care, and health disparities. Developed by a team led by Janet Henrich, MD, the curriculum includes half-day modules on interconnected topics, emphasizing health equity and interactive learning.

Since its inception in 2015, this curriculum has been implemented for approximately 175 residents each year. The impact of the program was evaluated through anonymous surveys from 2022-2023, and the data showed that 90% of the 131 resident respondents felt adequately prepared to apply the skills they had acquired. Over the years, there has been a consistent upward trend in residents’ comfort with the material, attributed to the curriculum’s interactive teaching methods and direct learning experiences involving community members and peers.

This novel educational approach has effectively enhanced resident learning and readiness, setting a precedent for similar programs across medical training institutions. The team involved hopes to replicate this success in other medical training programs by emphasizing critical issues in women’s health, gender-affirming care, and promoting an equitable healthcare environment. For further insights into this innovative interdisciplinary curriculum and its impact on medical education, one can refer to the article “It Takes a Village: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Preparing Internal Medicine Residents to Care for Patients at the Intersection of Women’s Health, Gender-Affirming Care