Integrating Gender in Medical Education

In 2015, CEHAT began the ‘Integrating Gender in Medical Education’ project with the aim of reducing health inequities and recognizing the social dimensions of health risks, health seeking behaviours and health outcomes, by integrating gender and the other social determinants of health in medical education.

CEHAT began this endeavour in the state of Maharashtra in 2015, in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) to address gender biases in MBBS curriculum and to facilitate a gender perspective in medical education. Medical educators from 7 medical colleges in Maharashtra, across 5 disciples (Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObGyn), Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM), Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT), Internal Medicine and Psychiatry) participated in an extensive training. The training aimed at sensitising the educators on issues of gender, violence, intersection of gender and health, so that the educators could sensitise their undergraduate students through their courses. Following which CEHAT collaborated with the 19 trained medical educators, subject experts and mentors, and designed gender integrated modules for the above mentioned disciplines. The efficacy of the modules and the feasibility of teaching them in a classroom setting was tested in a quasi-experimental study undertaken in 3 medical colleges where gender content was taught for 2 disciplines (ObGyn and PSM). This study revealed a significant change in the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students who were taught gender integrated curricula, and medical educators reported higher attendance and interest among MBBS students because of changes in methods of teaching. The modules have undergone rigorous review by the academic council and were issued in 2018 across medical colleges in Maharashtra.

CEHAT has since expanded the outreach of the Gender in Medical Education project to other states in India. The National Medical council (NMC) revised the MBBS curriculum (August 2019) directs medical educators to teach “Gender” as a foundation course to new batches of MBBS students and emphasises “competency based” learning. It is thus an opportune time to engage with the departments of medical education and research to build capacities of medical educators teaching the new curriculum and replacing harmful medical practices.

Our project in engaging with the medical education system in three ways

• Integrating Gender in Teaching
• Gender Health Research
• Bringing Change in Clinical Practices

Integrating Gender in Teaching

CEHAT facilitates gender perspectives in teaching of MBBS curricula through capacity building of educators and policy advocacy with medical institutes. We conduct trainings (virtual and in-person) for medical educators as well as monthly meetings to help medical educators integrate gender in UG teaching. We create IEC materials/presentations for facilitation and engage with student councils to deepen gender understanding.

Gender Health Research

Research taken up at medical colleges mainly focuses on bio-medical research, with little or no consideration given to socio-cultural factors and their effect on health. CEHAT is promoting inquiry into gender research and other neglected areas of medical research. We have collaborated with medical professionals to generate evidence and use the evidence to bring about change in medical practice. CEHAT provides them training in research ethics and methods, data collection and analysis, and writing and presentation of findings.

Bringing Change in Clinical Practices

CEHAT is dedicated to integrating gender content into medical curricula, transforming medical students' knowledge and attitudes to become gender-sensitive professionals. By adopting a gender lens in patient care, we strive to eradicate harmful clinical practices and implement gender-sensitive approaches. Through our recent study in 5 medical colleges of Maharashtra, we aim to collaborate with institutions to enhance the quality of care, providing better and gender-friendly services.