Understanding Social Accountability
What is Social Accountability?Social Accountability has been defined as:
“The obligation to direct [the School’s] education, research and service activities towards addressing the priority health concerns of the community, region, and/or nation they have a mandate to serve. The priority health concerns are to be identified jointly by governments, health care organizations, health professionals and the public.” (WHO, 1995).
This definition comes from the WHO Declaration of the Social Accountability of Medical Schools authored by Boelen and Heck in 1995 and remains the standard adopted by most medical schools.
This brief animated video, created by the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), gives an excellent introduction to the concept of social accountability.
Listen to the audio:
"Social Accountability in Medical Schools” YouTube, uploaded by MedEdTopics, https://youtu.be/psZ4w_zPIBY
Our Commitments to Social Accountability
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is committed to improving health in Southwestern Ontario through clinical service, advocacy, research and education activities that are responsive to the needs of the people and communities we serve. We acknowledge and embrace our provincial, national and global health care responsibilities. We will deliver on these commitments in an environment of respect and compassion, in which diverse needs and abilities are supported and valued.
