•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Background: Health promotion is a critical tool in training future health professionals, particularly in countries like Colombia, where structural inequalities impact public health outcomes. However, the integration of health promotion strategies into medical education programs remains inconsistent and underexplored. Objective: To describe the status of incorporating health promotion and health education elements in the curricula of medical schools in Colombia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study covered the 63 active medical schools registered in the National Higher Education Information System (SNIES for its acronym in Spanish) until December 2024. The information available on the websites of each faculty was analyzed using a documentary analysis by multiple categories. Results: Findings revealed a limited and heterogeneous integration of health promotion content across programs; 5.04% of the credits in the Medicine programs are destined for training in public health, with an unequal distribution by regions (more significant in the Andean region and private institutions), a mainly theoretical approach, and variability in the academic load. Most curricula emphasized disease prevention, neglecting broader determinants of health and community-centered strategies. This indicates that the essential aspects of community health are not receiving the attention they deserve in medical curricula. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need to transform medical education in Colombia. Key recommendations include developing comprehensive curricula that prioritize community-based health promotion, fostering intersectoral partnerships, and equipping future professionals with the skills needed to address social determinants of health.

Download

Share

COinS