The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) by Health Canada is a crucial concept for premed students to understand as it highlights the various personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and population health. These factors include income, education, employment, childhood experiences, physical environments, social supports, coping skills, access to health services, biology, genetics, gender, culture, and race.

Understanding the SDOH is essential for premed students because it emphasizes the importance of considering a patient's social and economic context when providing medical care. By being familiar with the SDOH, future physicians can recognize and address health inequalities and work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Health inequalities refer to differences in health status between individuals and groups, which can be due to genetics, lifestyle choices, or social determinants. Health inequity, on the other hand, refers to health inequalities that are unfair, unjust, and modifiable. Health equity seeks to reduce these inequalities and increase access to opportunities and conditions conducive to health for all.

Premed students can prepare as future physicians by integrating the knowledge of SDOH into their practice, advocating for policies that address these determinants, and working collaboratively with other sectors to improve health equity. By acknowledging and addressing the SDOH, premed students can develop a more holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing health disparities within the population.

Social media has revolutionized the way we connect and share ideas, but should doctors be encouraged to participate? Ollie Burton, a third-year medical student, discusses the pros and cons of doctors engaging with social media.

Having doctors on social media presents a unique opportunity for authoritative voices to share health and wellness information with a wider audience. They can effectively communicate complex ideas and reach patients who might not engage with traditional health literature.

On the other hand, there's a risk of doctors spreading misinformation or focusing on building their online presence rather than enhancing their practice. Conflicts of interest, such as endorsing products, can also arise.

As future medical professionals, embracing social media can be advantageous, but it's essential to maintain professionalism and prioritize patient care. The same standards expected in a clinical environment apply online.

So, consider the impact of your social media presence on your medical journey. Use it responsibly to inspire, educate, and connect with others, while always upholding the integrity of your profession. Be the change you want to see in healthcare and foster a positive online environment for everyone.

"Great book on ethical behaviour and compassionate medicine" - Ben