Training future doctors in youth health: an innovative public health approach
Abstract
Background: Training future physicians in youth health is essential for strengthening prevention-oriented health systems. However, undergraduate curricula often insufficiently address psychosocial determinants, communication skills, youth-friendly services, and their practical application. To address these gaps, we designed and introduced an innovative elective course “Youth Health” for third-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, for the first time in 2021/22. The course was delivered over ten weeks (30 hours total), combining theoretical, practical, and experiential learning, including lectures, small-group discussions, and review and appraisal of available community resources (reports, case studies, interactive websites). The hybrid program combined an online learning platform (forums) with traditional teaching approaches. Topics included peer violence prevention, safe and responsible online behavior, reproductive health, peer education, new behavioral addictions, motivations for (un)healthy lifestyles and change, and characteristics of youth-friendly services. A field visit was organized to explore practical experiences in working with youth.
Objectives: We evaluated the course delivered in 2021/22, focusing on overall student satisfaction, applicability of acquired knowledge, and usefulness of teaching methods.
Results: A total of 48 students (approximately 10% of all third-year students) chose the elective “Youth Health” out of 25 available subjects. Post-course evaluation showed high satisfaction (mean score 4.4/5; range 4.3–4.7). The field visit to a student health center received the highest rating (4.7). Students highlighted the value of interactive learning and the practical relevance of accepting diversity in youth. Challenges included students’ busy schedules to organize more in-person teaching.
Conclusion Early, practice-oriented training in youth health can enhance medical students’ engagement in health promotion.
Key messages: • Early, practice-based training in youth health improves student engagement, skills, and readiness for preventive public health work.
• Combining digital learning, field visits, and interaction is an effective model for teaching medical students about youth health.
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BibTeX
@article{djikanovic2026training,
title = {{Training future doctors in youth health: an innovative public health approach}},
author = {B Djikanovic and A Stevanovic and S Mandic-Rajcevic and Z Stamenkovic and J Todorovic and M Zdujic and I Sotirovic and Z Nikolov and M Pesic and M Paunic},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1383},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1383},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Training future doctors in youth health: an innovative public health approach
AU - B Djikanovic
AU - A Stevanovic
AU - S Mandic-Rajcevic
AU - Z Stamenkovic
AU - J Todorovic
AU - M Zdujic
AU - I Sotirovic
AU - Z Nikolov
AU - M Pesic
AU - M Paunic
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1383
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1383
AB - Background: Training future physicians in youth health is essential for strengthening prevention-oriented health systems. However, undergraduate curricula often insufficiently address psychosocial determinants, communication skills, youth-friendly services, and their practical application. To address these gaps, we designed and introduced an innovative elective course “Youth Health” for third-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, for the first time in 2021/22. The course was delivered over ten weeks (30 hours total), combining theoretical, practical, and experiential learning, including lectures, small-group discussions, and review and appraisal of available community resources (reports, case studies, interactive websites). The hybrid program combined an online learning platform (forums) with traditional teaching approaches. Topics included peer violence prevention, safe and responsible online behavior, reproductive health, peer education, new behavioral addictions, motivations for (un)healthy lifestyles and change, and characteristics of youth-friendly services. A field visit was organized to explore practical experiences in working with youth. Objectives: We evaluated the course delivered in 2021/22, focusing on overall student satisfaction, applicability of acquired knowledge, and usefulness of teaching methods. Results: A total of 48 students (approximately 10% of all third-year students) chose the elective “Youth Health” out of 25 available subjects. Post-course evaluation showed high satisfaction (mean score 4.4/5; range 4.3–4.7). The field visit to a student health center received the highest rating (4.7). Students highlighted the value of interactive learning and the practical relevance of accepting diversity in youth. Challenges included students’ busy schedules to organize more in-person teaching. Conclusion Early, practice-oriented training in youth health can enhance medical students’ engagement in health promotion. Key messages: • Early, practice-based training in youth health improves student engagement, skills, and readiness for preventive public health work. • Combining digital learning, field visits, and interaction is an effective model for teaching medical students about youth health.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -