MS4 Catalog

Public Health Service-Learning Experience

LOCATION: Various Locations in Jefferson and Berkeley County, WV for clinics and interventions
PRECEPTOR(s): Dr. Rosie Lorenzetti, Dr. Rick Catlett, Dr. Emma Eggleston, Dr. Adrienne Zavala and Dr. Terrance Reidy
DURATION: 2 Weeks
OFFERED: Intermittently 
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 4
STATUS: Elective

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be assigned a variety of readings outlining the core concepts of public health and current issues of importance (Currently COVID-19). Student will participate in immunization clinics and other health activities (such as disease investigation and chart reviews), participate in public health outreach and education activities, participate in threat preparedness activities such as planning and exercises and, as time permits, meet with key health department members. Public Health is a varied field, but current topics of pressing concerns is mass vaccination of the public against COVID.

Patient Care:

  • Complete patient assessments and evaluations regarding risks for vaccinations
  • Demonstrate proficiency in administering vaccinations
  • Observe patient post vaccination for side effects/reactions
  • Identify clinical interventions and therapy available in the clinic and hospital setting

Medical Knowledge:

  • Review COVID 19 or other infectious disease case presentations in community and hospital settings
  • Learn principles of management of patients with COVID-19 infections or patients with other community infectious diseases (medication and other modalities in community and hospital settings)

Practice-Based Learning:

  • Participate in the community experience of mass vaccination clinics and work on quality improvement issues.
  • Locate and integrate evidence from medical literature about risk/benefit ratio of vaccination.
  • Use information technology to research and manage information.
  • Appreciate the resources available to clinicians through public health and local health departments.

Communication Skills:

  • Interact in a professional manner with a multidisciplinary staff in the office and clinic settings.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a health care team.
  • Council and educate patients and their families.

Professionalism:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles, including provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, and informed consent.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and disabilities.
  • Participate as an active member of a team delivering community based public health care.

Systems-Based Practice: 

  • Participate in community vaccination programs and get an understanding of the population benefits of mass vaccination during pandemics.
  • Understand the breadth of activities of a local health department and the role of a public health physician.
  • Gain a greater understanding of the entire community health network, governmental and nongovernmental, by speaking with and observing some key partners of the health department and participating in health department community outreach

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Onsite learning with directed reading, case reviews and procedural guidance.  Direct observation of skills, behaviors and willingness to learn.

METHODS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES:

Onsite learning with directed readings, case reviews and procedural guidance.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Formative Assessment:
Observation of health department staff and their activities, participation in community vaccinations, complete directed readings, online educational materials, meeting with key partners, and attendance at community meetings etc. with health officer and faculty.

Summative Assessment:
Written evaluation by faculty in narrative form, MSIV Evaluation.

PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE ROTATION: