Description of a research-based health activism curriculum for medical students.

<bold>Introduction: </bold>Few curricula train medical students to engage in health system reform.<bold>Aim: </bold>To develop physician activists by teaching medical students the skills necessary to advocate for socially equitable health policies in the U.S. health system.<bold>Setting: </bold>Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.<bold>Program Description: </bold>We designed a 1-month curriculum in research-based health activism to develop physician activists. The annual curriculum includes a student project and 4 course sections;health policy, research methods, advocacy, and physician activists as role models; taught by core faculty and volunteers from academic institutions, government, and nongovernmental organizations.<bold>Program Evaluation: </bold>From 2002 to 2005, 47 students from across the country have participated. Students reported improved capabilities to generate a research question, design a research proposal,and create an advocacy plan.<bold>Discussion: </bold>Our curriculum demonstrates a model for training physician activists to engage in health systems reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]