Integración de la medicina preventiva y social en las distintas escuelas de una universidad

Abstract

Modern medicine has various characteristics, especially the integration of its various social functions, and is based on the work of a team composed of physicians and other professional health workers. All professional health workers should have a satisfactory academic training, not only to enable them to apply their specific techniques but also to understand their countries' health problems as a whole. A basic curriculum which might be used in the various departments of preventive medicine might cover: a) epidemiology and control of acute infectious and chronic diseases; b) elements of psychology, medical sociology, and health education; c) social and preventive aspects peculiar to each profession; d) organization of community health services and the resources available to them; e) basic principles of administration. The participation of students from various professions in field work under suitable supervision might strengthen this curriculum. To make this type of training a reality the following mechanisms might be used: a) each school should have its own teaching staff; b) a department of preventive medicine or a school of public health should assume responsibility for the teaching of preventive medicine in all schools; and c) a coordinating committee should examine teaching methods in each school and offer suggestions for making them more efficient, for achieving coordination and where