Medical social sciences. Their potential contributions to medical education reforms in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Hussein M. Al-Borie, Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, Building 600, Second Floor, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80271, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (2) 6951543. Fax. +966 (2) 6951541. E-mail: hmaborie{at}gmail.com / hborai{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

This article emphasizes a holistic definition of health. It then introduces the concept of Medical social sciences, and drawing from the literature, argues for the inevitability of social sciences in medical education, especially in the health systems of developing countries including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This is followed by a brief history of medical education in KSA, and an examination of some important social science issues. Finally, this article suggests how a holistic approach involving inputs from the social and behavioral sciences could be incorporated into undergraduate medical education to produce medical professionals who could better meet the community and public health needs of the country.

Article Type

Review

First Page

711

Last Page

715

Recommended Citation

Al-Borie, Hussein M. (2012) "Medical social sciences. Their potential contributions to medical education reforms in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 33: Iss. 7, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.5577