Original Article

Agromedicine Focus Group: Cooperative Extension Agents and Medical School Instructors Plan Farm Field Trips for Medical Students

Authors: John R. Wheat, MD, MPH, Tamela J. Turner, PHD, Lloyd Weatherly, MS, Oscar S. Wiggins, MA

Abstract

Background: Current medical education policy seeks to address the health care needs of underserved populations, among whom are individuals associated with agriculture.


Methods: This paper describes a focus group approach to planning farm field trips whereby medical students accompany agricultural extension agents to study the personal, occupational, and environmental health concerns of farmers.


Results: The resulting plan joins a state's cooperative extension system, medical school, and farm community in partnership to provide an experiential approach to agricultural medicine and rural health education.


Conclusion: The planning exercise and the field trips are successful examples of agromedicine, a partnership approach to preventive agricultural medicine involving professionals in medicine and in agriculture.

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