Program evaluation of an urban community diagnosis program incorporating fieldwork using a realist approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding social determinants of health is essential for medical education, particularly in complex urban settings. This study evaluated a fieldwork-based community diagnosis program designed to help medical students identify community health issues, appreciate diverse social contexts, and integrate theoretical frameworks into practical learning.

Methods

The program was integrated into a two-week general medicine clerkship at X Medical School in Tokyo in 2022-2023. It included an orientation on ecological systems theory and phenomenological reduction, followed by urban fieldwork, student presentations, peer and faculty feedback, and a final report. A realist approach using Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) framework guided the evaluation, focusing on how context

SUBMITTER: Haruta J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12639709 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature