Addressing complex societal challenges in health education – A physiotherapy-led initiative embedding inclusion health in an undergraduate curriculum

Abstract

Socially marginalised groups suffer vastly poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. Inclusion health seeks to directly address the health inequities experienced by groups such as homeless people and refugees. Despite the unique healthcare needs experienced by these vulnerable groups, inclusion health features very little in health education curricula. This letter has been written by a group of clinicians, academics, clinical education specialists and students with a common interest in inclusion health. In the absence of established guidance on how best to incorporate the broad topic of inclusion health in undergraduate education, we have developed a two-pronged approach within physiotherapy. We are writing to highlight the following initiatives; firstly, the provision of a dedicated undergraduate clinical placement devoted to the area of inclusion health. Secondly, we have also initiated a step-wise process of introducing the topic of inclusion health into the formal undergraduate curriculum. This letter demonstrates the need to implement strategies to incorporate inclusion health into the curriculum and the approaches described are applicable to diverse health professions and settings.