Food for Thought Movie Night: A humanities-based, interprofessional discussion focused on food insecurity (curricular resource)

Abstract

Food insecurity is a worldwide concern contributing to health disparities and poor health outcomes. Health professionals must consider social determinants or drivers of health at the community level as well as resulting health-related social needs of the individual to guide care. The Food for Thought Movie Night employed a documentary film and interprofessional, collaborative discussion to integrate food insecurity information with patient-focused application to target health disparities. The humanities-based delivery method using film as visual media supported integration of aspects of the human condition with health-related outcomes. The activity is intended for novice level health professions and sciences students and has been completed in face-to-face and online, virtual learning environments. Pre/post quiz scores reflect increase in food insecurity knowledge, and qualitative evaluation of reflective essays revealed themes related to change in knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and intended future action. Visual media delivered as a student “movie night” successfully paired interprofessional education (IPE) and social determinants of health learning endpoints.