Impact of health insurance education program on health care professional students: An interventional study

• Published in: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1029 - 1033
• Main Authors: Barr, Emily, Gantz, Hannah Y., Russell, Greg, Hanchate, Amresh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical outcomes; Curricula; Curriculum; Education; Female; Health care policy; Health insurance; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel - education; Humans; Insurance, Health; Male; medical education; Patient satisfaction; Patient-centered care; person‐centred medicine; Professionals; Students, Medical - statistics & numerical data; system change; United States; United States; medical education; system change; person‐centred medicine
• ISSN: 1356-1294; 1365-2753; 1365-2753
• DOI: 10.1111/jep.14016

In the complex landscape of health care, the relationship between medical practice and health insurance is increasingly crucial for effective care delivery. This paper emphasises the importance of integrating health insurance education into medical training, focusing on its impact on patient outcomes, health care accessibility, and system sustainability. It posits that health care providers with a comprehensive understanding of health insurance can offer more informed, efficient care by adeptly navigating coverage complexities. The study utilised a pretest‐post‐test design with a yearlong health insurance education curriculum at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Student participants from various medical programmes self‐assessed their knowledge and comfort across 13 health insurance topics before and after the intervention. The curriculum included workshops and a capstone project, emphasising real‐life patient insurance challenges. Results show statistically significant improvements in 13 participants' understanding of health insurance concepts, highlighting the curriculum's effectiveness. The findings advocate for the inclusion of health insurance education in medical curricula. Such knowledge is vital in systems with diverse insurance models, like the United States, where understanding insurance intricacies is key to patient care. The study's limitations, such as a small sample size and reliance on self‐reported data, suggest the need for further research with more participants and objective measures. In conclusion, incorporating health insurance education into medical training is essential for preparing health care professionals to navigate insurance complexities, make informed treatment decisions, and guide patients effectively. This approach fosters well‐rounded professionals capable of managing both medical and financial aspects of patient care, leading to more equitable and efficient health care delivery. Future research should explore the long‐term effects of this education on clinical practice and patient outcomes, particularly its impact on health care costs and patient satisfaction.