Health education as a cross-cutting theme in medical school courses

Abstract

Introduction. The "One Health" approach highlights the relevance of Health Education in professional training. The discrepancy between the expected health promotion competencies of graduates from the University of El Salvador and their methodological approach created the need to characterize the mainstreaming of this content in careers of the Faculty of Medicine.

Objective. To characterize the initial status of Health Education as a transversal axis in professional training and in teacher preparation in selected degree programs.

Methods. A qualitative study. The main variable was parameterized into dimensions and indicators. Data collection included documentary analysis, surveys, interviews, and scientific observation in three bachelor's degrees: Clinical Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging, and Anesthesiology and Inhalotherapy.

Results. The main weakness is the absence of official guidelines for integrating Health Education, reflected in its scarce normative mention and in the insufficient pedagogical preparation of the teaching staff. There are widespread misconceptions and limited use in clinically focused subjects. As a strength, most of the faculty shows willingness to train and recognizes the need for curricular integration.

Discussion. The diagnosis identifies the critical elements for coherent practice and supports the need for a theoretical-methodological conception that unifies and gives coherence to the transversal approach of Health Education as a cross-cutting axis.

Conclusions. The study identifies the necessary elements for consistent practice and allows defining proposals to solve the stated research problem.