Defining and Tailoring Effective Practices in Teaching Social Determinants of Health for Online, Undergraduate Programs

Social determinants of health (SDOH) greatly impact an individual’s health, yet health care professionals are undereducated on addressing SDOH when identified. While many factors influence and drive educational practices, there is a lack of guidance in understanding best practices in teaching SDOH in online undergraduate health programs. This study examines the use of discussion board posts and peer to peer learning to increase knowledge of SDOH in an online, undergraduate course. Specific aims were to (1) examine students’ perceptions and understanding of SDOH and associated health outcomes in their communities, and (2) assess peer to peer discussions as one method for teaching SDOH in online, undergraduate programs. Discussion board posts and reflections were qualitatively reviewed using thematic analyses. Overall, students expressed positive and negative perceptions of certain SDOH domains. Discussion board posts with peer responses can provide valuable insight into how students perceive and engage with SDOH in relation to community health issues. Students demonstrated learning and understanding of the complex ways SDOH both support and hinder health outcomes, and the intricacies of the relationship between health and SDOH, such as hierarchies or the role of culture. Integrating SDOH activities in curriculum through discussion board posts is one effective teaching strategy to build knowledge in online, undergraduate health courses.