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Table 2 The basic medical education WFME global standards [1]

From: The meaning of behavioral medicine in the public health field—a review of documents related to medical education in Japan

2.4 Behavioural and social sciences, medical ethics and jurisprudence

 

Basic standards:

The medical school must

In the curriculum identify and incorporate the contributions of the:

 ■ behavioural sciences. (B 2.4.1)

 ■ social sciences. (B 2.4.2)

 ■ medical ethics. (B 2.4.3)

 ■ medical jurisprudence. (B 2.4.4)

Quality development standards:

The medical school should

In the curriculum adjust and modify the contributions of the behavioural and social sciences as well as medical ethics and medical jurisprudence to

 ■ scientific, technological and clinical developments. (Q 2.4.1)

 ■ current and anticipated needs of the society and the health care system. (Q 2.4.2)

 ■ changing demographic and cultural contexts. (Q 2.4.3)

Annotations:

 ■ Behavioural and social sciences would - depending on local needs, interests and traditions - include biostatistics, community medicine, epidemiology, global health, hygiene, medical anthropology, medical psychology, medical sociology, public health and social medicine.

 ■ Medical ethics deals with moral issues in medical practice such as values, rights and responsibilities related to physician behavior and decision making.

 ■ Medical jurisprudence deals with the laws and other regulations of the health care delivery system, of the profession and medical practice, including the regulations of production and use of pharmaceuticals and medical technologies (devices, instruments, etc.).

 ■ The behavioural and social sciences, medical ethics and medical jurisprudence would provide the knowledge, concepts, methods, skills and attitudes necessary for understanding socio-economic, demographic and cultural determinants of causes, distribution and consequences of health problems as well as knowledge about the national health care system and patients’ rights. This would enable analysis of health needs of the community and society, effective communication, clinical decision making and ethical practices.