Structural competency refers to the ability of healthcare professionals to understand and address the structural factors that influence health and well-being. These factors include social policies, economic conditions, education, access to healthcare, the healthcare system itself, and other structural determinants of health. The practice of structural competency involves recognizing these factors, understanding how they interact and impact communities, and critiquing the role of healthcare institutions in perpetuating or mitigating these inequities.
SKMC is committed to cultivating structural competency. By doing so, we develop physicians that consider not just the individual’s medical needs but also the broader and highly impactful social determinants of health. It allows them to consider the many factors beyond the patient that influence their health outcome. It teaches them to advocate for systemic change by working towards policies and programs that improve structural conditions and allows them to better collaborate with community partners to address structural issues and educate patients to empower them to navigate the barriers to their health.
