32nd Annual ABSAME Conference

General Information
Schedule of Presentations
Brochure in PDF version (you will need Adobe Acrobat to read)
Registration Form

Reducing Health Disparities:
What Is The Role Of Medical Education?

October 10-13, 2002
Resort at Squaw Creek
Squaw Valley, CA - Lake Tahoe

General Information

Ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic disparities exist in health status in the U.S. Disparities in health status have been attributed to biological predisposition, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, insurance status, race and ethnicity as well as to the distribution, access, utilization, process (diagnosis and treatment) and cost of care. Of critical importance is the role of culture specific health beliefs that encourage traditional health practices and health behaviors, which may delay acceptance of evidence-based care. These factors have been identified as critical sociocultural components for educational programs designed to enhance our understanding of disparities in health status that exist for immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities. While understanding of the biological and psychosocial bases of disease and illness has increased in recent decades, much less discussion has centered on sociocultural factors as determinants of illness. The challenge of preparing medical students to treat an increasingly diverse patient population demands a focus on the influence of cultural and sociocultural factors on health.
The conference goals are to examine methods for integrating knowledge on sociocultural factors and health disparities in medical education; to emphasize educational methods for integrating epidemiologic data on ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in health status; and to highlight related knowledge concerning sociocultural influences on health in the following areas:

Health Behaviors (eating, activity level, substance abuse, violence)
Health Conditions (illnesses, such as Type II Diabetes, Cancer, HIV-AIDS)
Health Care System Factors (access, diagnosis, treatment)
Health Beliefs (illness interpretation, folk beliefs, spirituality, family role in health)

Presentations will focus on the contribution of sociocultural factors not only to illness but also to optimum health, as well as on current information and trends from multiple specialties and disciplines within the medical school and hospital settings.

Objectives

At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

Determine sociocultural influences on health behaviors, health conditions, and/or health care system issues
Discuss sociocultural factors that contribute to optimum health, as well as illness
Design model curriculum to address health disparities in medical education
Identify funding for curricular and research efforts to address racial, ethnic and gender disparities in health.

Audience

Physicians, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, nurses, public health practitioners, social workers, and other professionals and/or behavioral scientists engaged in medical education and practice.
Investigators who wish to present their work to a cross-disciplinary membership for critique and dialog.
Medical school and residency level faculty who wish to explore and develop teaching skills and new curricula in the behavioral sciences.
Medical students and house staff planning a career in family medicine, primary-care, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, or preventive medicine.

Continuing Education Credits

Genesys Regional Medical Center, an organization approved by the Michigan State Medical Society Committee (MSMS) on Continuing Medical Education Accreditation, designates that this activity meets the criteria for a maximum of 20 hours in Category 1 Credit toward the requirement for Michigan relicensure and of the Physicians Recognition Award of the AMA, provided it is completed as designed. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the MSMS through the joint sponsorship of Genesys Regional Medical Center and the Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education.

The Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. The Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education maintains responsibility for the program. ABSAME is offering this activity for 20 hours of continuing education credit provided it is completed as designed.

Location

Situated in the heart of Squaw Valley, California, The Resort at Squaw Creek is a 4-diamond luxury resort ranked among the top 50 best resorts in North America by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. They have 403 rooms, nearly half of them suites. All guest rooms command breathtaking views - ranging from deep forests of ancient ponderosa to pristine meadowlands with a backdrop of craggy mountain peaks. Our windows open to bring in the fresh pine scented mountain air.

Inside, rooms feature such upscale appointments as custom furnishings, original artwork, speaker-phones, refrigerator, mini-bar, and individual heating and cooling controls. Explore the possibilities and start planning your trip to the ABSAME conference.

Suggested Attire

Casual resort wear such as slacks and sweaters is appropriate. At 7,000 feet in elevation, Lake Tahoe is a dry and comfortable climate with an 80 percent chance of sunshine throughout the year. In October, the average temperatures range from high of 63F to a low of 38F.

Registration and Refund Policy

Advance registration is requested by September 10, 2002. Registration received after this date will be subject to a late registration fee. We cannot guarantee your enrollment until we receive payment and the completed registration form.

Cancellations in writing received later than September 10, 2002 will be assessed a $25 processing fee. No refund will be made after September 27, 2002. All refunds will be processed after the conference.