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Caring
for the Underserved: A Web-based Curriculum for the Pediatric Clerkship ED
Cox; AT Behrmann; RL Koscik; MA Hambrecht; CA Olson;GC McIntosh and PK Kokotailo.
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI.
Objective:
To describe a novel web-based pediatric clerkship curriculum addressing care for
the underserved.
Methods: The curriculum, developed at the University
of Wisconsin Medical School, was implemented during the 2003-2004 pediatric clerkship.
Learning objectives include 1) defining “underserved”; 2) describing the importance
of access to care as a determinant of health; 3) identifying barriers to health
for underserved families; 4) describing the role of the physician in linking families
with community resources; 5) utilizing the “I CARE” tool to recognize underserved
families. The web-based curriculum consists of short readings, video of a clinical
case with instructor commentary, and on-line submission of an independent project
by each student with faculty feedback. Student projects are evaluated for skill
in recognizing underserved needs, accessing relevant health resources and reflections
on caring for the underserved.
Results: Evaluation of student projects
completed to date (n=53) shows that students have successfully recognized and
addressed underserved patient needs in all five I CARE areas. (Table 1) Student
reflections on projects demonstrate acceptance of the I CARE tool, satisfaction
upon project completion and overcoming self-perceived helplessness in caring for
the underserved.
Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that the
underserved curriculum promotes skills and fosters positive attitudes in caring
for the underserved. Table 1: “I CARE tool and project examples
| I CARE topic | Underserved Need
| Resource Accessed | | Injury
prevention | No bike helmet | National Safe Kids
Campaign | | Communication |
No telephone in home | Lifeline telephone services |
| Access to health care | No
source of dental care | Sliding-fee dental care |
| Resources (basic needs) | Lack
of baby clothing, maternal unemployment | Community clothing share,
job center | | Emotional well-being |
Parental stress | Respite care | |
