Fundamentals

After learning about nutrition in class, students have the opportunity to be instructed about how to craft nutritional advice for patients based upon common dietary challenges (e.g., too much sodium). Then students practice these skills at the East Lake Farmers Market, where they prepare a healthy recipe and teach healthy eating habits to the market attendees and farmers.

Cardiovascular

After learning about cardiovascular health and exercise medicine, students have the opportunity to provide exercise counseling and education for patients at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. This activity provides hands-on, real-world experience to further understand exercise content delivered during the CV module.

Endocrinology

In addition to learning about the mechanisms of diabetes in the course, students can opt into more training about how to coach patients in preventing and managing diabetes in layman’s terms. Then, in groups of 2-3, students present at local senior centers and shelters. By doing so, they reinforce learning about diabetes and receive hands-on experience in health coaching.

Pulmonary

All students in the course learn how to “Assess, Advise, and Refer” patients who smoke towards quitting. Students who elect to participate in this service-learning experience are then trained on the fourth step: Assist. Through didactic training and mock patient scenarios, students learn how to assist patients. They then conduct smoking cessation counseling and distribute resources to community members at various social service agencies.

Musculoskeletal and Skin

Started by medical students participating in the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, the MSK service learning experience focuses on observing and participating in equine-assisted therapy in order to gain a deeper understanding and experience with patients with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers to build upon content taught in the module.

Neuroscience

After learning about the anatomy of the eye, retina and visual pathways, and ophthalmology, students can opt to learn more about pediatric eye disorders from a School of Optometry professor. Afterwards, they conduct vision screenings with FocusFirst, to ensure that children in local Head Starts and other facilities receive the screening and follow-up care that is needed.

Intro to Clinical Medicine 1 (SHARP)

This program provides ICM 1 students with a unique opportunity to interact with real patients in a longitudinal manner as it occurs in parallel with the rest of the ICM 1 curriculum. This program aims to help students develop fundamental skills for working in interprofessional (IP) teams and cultivate an appreciation for the successful implementation of IP care models in real patients. This occurs in a precepted, IP care setting while promoting students' development of their communication skills with patients and colleagues.

Intro to Clinical Medicine 2

During second year of ICM, students and their preceptors have the option to request to go to EAB for a patient encounter in place of a patient encounter that would normally occur in the hospital. If selected, the ICM group—along with the preceptor—provides care at a Wednesday night clinic. This allows students a chance to interact with patients, conduct H&Ps, and ultimately produce a diagnosis and treatment plan under the supervision of their preceptor.

Communications Skills Co-Enrolled Elective

In this popular course, students gain an advanced understanding of their personal communication styles, recognize and assess common barriers and bridges to effective communication, gain tips from experts in the field, and demonstrate skill in interviewing via community collaboration while providing a valuable service.

Holding Space: Power of Storytelling Co-Enrolled Elective

In this course, content extends beyond the measurable and procedural skills in medicine to help medical students develop a deeper understanding of and build relationships with patients and community partners through story-telling. Students learn to recognize patients as story-tellers and experts about their own lives and amply use the one tool they can trust in any medical encounter: listening with an open mind and heart.

Special Topics — various

Multiple service learning Special Topics courses are available. Students usually serve in local summer camps or at EAB, and are invited to propose new service learning courses. Please see the Course Catalogue or contact the OSL for details.