Results for MED 234

The World Health Organization defines Neglected Tropical Diseases as "a diverse group of conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they mostly affect impoverished communities and disproportionately affect women and children." Notably, the vast majority of NTDs are infectious diseases. While the average American never is plagued by these diseases, COVID-19 has opened our eyes to taking a more global approach to health, and emphasized the importance of investing in infectious disease research. Through this course, students will discuss and understand how and why infectious diseases have become "neglected" and the modern approaches currently being taken at Stanford and beyond to combat NTDs.

Knowledge and skills for applying contemplative practices to promote individual and community health and well-being in a variety of settings (e.g., clinics, hospitals, non-profit and for-profit organizations, schools, government agencies, secular and spiritual communities, etc.) is the focus of this course. In-depth exploration is provided through: 1) scholarly articles on contemplative neuroscience, biopsychosocial research, theoretical models, and interventions, and 2) experiential learning in which students are guided in doing diverse contemplative practices, including silence, centering, meditation, labyrinth walking, yoga, qigong, self-compassion, deep listening, storytelling, journaling, lectio divina, prayer, ritual, and compassionate action. Multi-modal learning activities include videos, field experiences, guest speakers, ancient and modern texts, class discussions, and personal reflections. In-depth understanding of contemplative practices is developed through consideration of contemplative practices with respect to behavioral science, ethics, social justice, inclusion and diversity, qualitative and quantitative research, motivational interviewing, compassionate communication, design thinking and relationship-based care, including deep listening, open-minded observation, empathic need-finding, pattern recognition, and creative confidence. The course culminates with students' presentations of their original design for a research-based health and well-being program or policy incorporating contemplative practices.

Focus is on training first year graduate students in proposal writing. In an intensive 4-week period, students learn fundamental skills focused on scientific proposal writing, including writing and criticizing a proposal on the scientific topic of their choice. Students encouraged to use these new skills and the proposal they create to apply for external funding to support their research training. Students in the Genetics home program may enroll in this course with prior approval from the course director. The course may be held online through web-based presentations, discussions and conferences, pending health requirements.

Climate Change, Toxins, and Health: From Education to Action" is a dynamic weekly lunch seminar designed to educate medical and service profession trainees about the clinical impacts of climate change and the significance of environmental advocacy. The course features esteemed speakers, engaging discussions, and an optional 2-unit 'advocacy track' where students can participate in real-world activism projects. Open to students across all disciplines, including both graduate and undergraduate, this course empowers learners to understand and actively address the intersection of climate change, human health, and health equity.

Burnout- defined as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and apathy toward one's work - is endemic in medicine. There is evidence that a significant cause of burnout is a loss of connection to deeper values. This course will help students identify and articulate their own ethical, cognitive, and humanistic impulses for entering the profession of medicine. Through lectures, discussions, small group reflections, and role-plays, students will develop skills that will allow them to nourish a connection to their values throughout their clinical training and into practice. Specific topics covered will include: honoring priorities outside of medicine, appropriate self-care, managing difficult medical encounters, and grappling with suffering as an inevitable part of clinical practice.

Surgeons with an Impact is a weekly lunch seminar course with guest lectures and facilitated workshops with the following objectives: 1) Participants will be able to understand the role of surgeons in addressing health inequities, social justice, and poverty, 2) Participants will be exposed to the potential of expert surgeons through lectures from diverse professionals, 3) Participants will reflect on how addressing inequities can align with their career goals in surgery. Health justice topics covered will include: surgery and global health, advocacy and trauma surgery, transplant justice, inequities in pediatric surgery, serving veterans through surgery, accessing surgical obstetrics and gynecology care, women in surgery, LGBTQ advocacy and surgery, and race and surgery; as well as diversity among surgeons themselves. Course open to MD and PA students only.