Women's Health Ambulatory Experience

Many moons ago when we developed the Ambulatory rotation, we wanted to give seniors an opportunity: for 1:1 face time with mentors and role models; to learn practical issues on sex/gender health disparities and women’s health; to reflect on an (self-defined) interesting topic and become expert on it and; to see how health and illness fit together in the context of where patients live – in their communities. Toward that end the clinical piece, community piece and scholarly pieces were birthed.


Primary and specialty clinical care affords a basis for skills development and reinforcing issues about health promotion and disease prevention. The community piece is rarely (if ever seen) in training – it is the taken-for-granted-wallpaper, yet the context of care, the strengths that arise from families and communities are essential for optimal heath outcomes. Lastly, there is the scholarly piece. We wanted an opportunity for students to work on an issue that they care about or create something that they could be proud of (that was needed and useful!) Originally, it was a paper – a time to reflect on an issue or topic and demonstrate your thoughtfulness and analysis – not a book report or regurgitated list of facts. In time, students asked for an opportunity to ‘make’ something – a bulletin board; a presentation with a powerpoint; a brochure; a training experience on a topic – and now a women’s health education blog opportunity.

During your senior year, we value you as role models for years 1-3 and hope that (beyond Ambulatory requirements) that you will come to events and seminar series when you are in town.

Here’s some tips on getting the most out of your experiences

1. Think about what the clinician can teach you that you ‘need to know’; that would be useful

2. Generate objectives to see if it makes sense (to you and them)

3. Do a midpoint check in with Dr. Kahng or me

4. Think now about your paper or project (you can do it in advance!)

5. Consider what is culturally appropriate behavior in community outreach – what does it mean? What does it look like?

6. Decide what you want more information about (and ask about resources) so that you can get questions answered.

This experience is supposed to be organic - you need to let us know as we go, so we can continue to improve it.