Welcome to the Initiative on Poverty, Justice and Health

Description

Poverty and social injustice form the basis for many disparities in health and health care, both in the United States and around the world. The Initiative on Poverty, Justice, and Health seeks to educate and encourage new generations of physicians to provide quality health care for the poor and underserved, here and abroad. The elective will provide didactic and participatory sessions with several faculty and allow time to explore local agencies and work in a clinic which serves those in poverty. 5-7 individuals from Pediatrics, Family Medicine and Internal Medicine will take the elective together. Please note, this elective is offered only in May, so please let Judy know asap if you wish to take this elective. It is not available in a longitudinal format.
If interested, please submit a request form!

Please contact Dr. Kiesler for any questions or concerns!

Note: This elective will fulfill the required Global Health and Underserved Selective



FM Faculty Lead
Joe Kiesler, MD (Email Dr. Kiesler) Other Faculty contacts for this Experience:
Pediatrics: Chuck Schubert or Brian Volck
Med-Peds/Internal Medicine: Tiffany Diers
Family Medicine: Doug Smucker

Schedule

Elective Duration: 4 wk, Offered as a full month rotation in May.

Guidelines for FMC
R1: 1 half day of FMC time (can do more) and Thurs PM conferences
R2: 3 half days of FMC time and Thurs PM conferences
R3: 4 half days of FMC time and Thurs PM conferences

Example Schedule


Goals and Objectives

Patient Care and Medical Knowledge
Goal: Residents must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. In addition, residents must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care. Residents are expected to:
Objectives:

  • Identify health care disparities in indigent populations

  • Recognize the results of these disparities on the health of patients living in poverty

  • Describe the social determinants which affect the health care of indigent populations


Practice Based Learning
Goal: Residents must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence. Residents are expected to develop skills and habits to be able to meet the following objectives:
Objectives:

  • Participate in patient care at a medical facility serving patients living in poverty

  • Recognize the other priorities in a patient’s life (housing, security) will affect how the seek out health care and follow medical recommendations

  • Describe the modifications of clinical guidelines for homeless patients

  • List the local and national community resources for the health care of homeless patients


Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Goal: Residents must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals. Residents are expected to:
Objectives:

  • Describe and discuss cultural health beliefs and their affect on a patient’s health

  • Recognize the extent and the effect of health literacy in this population

  • Describe and discuss the method to work with interpreters and the value it provides in delivering patient care.

  • Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;


Professionalism
Goal: Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. Residents are expected to demonstrate:
Objectives:

  • Demonstrate the ability to treat all patients with dignity and respect in spite of their outward appearance of presentation

  • Describe how pre-judging of patients and their abilities can affect the ultimate care which is delivered.

  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation.


Systems Based Practice
Goal: Residents must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care. Residents are expected to:
Objectives:

  • Describe Medicaid system eligibility requirements

  • Discuss the role of the community health system

  • Explain the local public health structure

  • Discuss how to advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems


Teaching Methods
The following teaching methods will be employed

  • Didactic lecture sessions

  • Case based conference with extensive discussion

  • Observation learning especially with local social service agencies

  • Experiential learning within a health care system serving a population in poverty

  • Self-directed project development

  • Mentorship


Evaluation Methods

  • Ongoing informal feedback with the involved faculty

  • Faculty mentor feedback

  • Direct feedback and evaluation of the rotation project

  • End of rotation evaluations done by the faculty and resident participants