MS4 Catalog

Modern Appalachia

LOCATION: WVU Health Science Center North, Rm 1150C
PRECEPTOR: Jason Hedrick, PhD
DURATION: 2 weeks
OFFERED: By arrangement
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 3
STATUS: Elective

OBJECTIVES:

This course is for any fourth-year student interested in learning more about Appalachian culture, society, and challenges and how those elements relate to providing medical care for Appalachian patients. The course focuses primarily on modern Appalachia. 

Patient Care:

Apply knowledge about the regional population to future medical practice in the region. (SBP5, PC5)

Practice-Based Learning:

Evaluate data and trends related to the Appalachian population. (PBLI1)

Communication Skills:

Identify major cultural features and modern social trends related to Appalachia. (ICS1) Recognize historical social disparities, including in healthcare, and how those disparities translate to challenges in healthcare access and resources (ICS1, SBP5).

Systems-Based Practice: 

Apply knowledge about the regional population to future medical practice in the region. (SBP5, PC5) Recognize historical social disparities, including in healthcare, and how those disparities translate to challenges in healthcare access and resources (ICS1, SBP5).

METHODS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES:

The course focuses primarily on modern Appalachia. Students will be expected to meet with the instructor and other learners for 60 minutes on both Thursdays of the rotation with times determined before the course. The themes for week 1 include History, Identity, and Industry and the themes for week 2 include Crisis, Healthcare, and the Future. A recommended schedule of required readings and other media will be relayed and is below. Readings consist of peer reviewed articles, news stories/articles, and data/statistical reports. These structured learning experience focus mostly upon overarching data trends in Appalachia, articles to support that data, and structured discussions bringing these issues into focus for the learner. Additionally, students must write a reflection for each week based on the readings as well as attend at least one local community event and one fair or festival (information below). Students must plan and present a 10–15-minute session for Medical Education Grand Rounds in the Spring. 

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Formative Assessment:
The weekly meetings and reflections, including message boards (and reply), will be used by the educator to monitor student participation and engagement with the material. One on one feedback will be given accordingly and after the Thursday class meetings.

Summative Assessment: 
Two Reflections from reading Students will be tasked to write two prompted reflections based on the readings, one for each week. Students should incorporate as much of the readings as possible into their reflection pieces. Writing prompts will be relayed at the start of the course. Students must respond to all writing prompts in a short essay style format. Students should focus on answering the questions and not the length. Reflections may include and are encouraged to include outside resources but are not required. Reflections must be submitted by Tuesday, midnight and students must reply to a fellow student or faculty reflection by Thursday, midnight. Thoughts should be original, and AI generated or aided responses are not acceptable. One Reflection from attending one fair/festival and a separate community event. Attending community events is an essential aspect of this rotation, allowing the student to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of patients in Appalachia. With that in mind, students should plan to attend one community event that highlights at least one aspect of Appalachian culture. There are many community events that could be acceptable. A community event may include, but are not limited to, a local fair, festival, revival, livestock sale (e.g., 4-H), events in the Core Arboretum (e.g., wildflower festival, Pawpaw festival), public bluegrass/Appalachian music (e.g., check CAC website, Percival Pickers), a public auction, etc. Please check with course director before attending an event to be sure it meets the intended experience. In addition to the community event requirement outlined above, there is a requirement to attend a fair or festival as part of this educational experience. Fairs and festivals in this region are uniquely Appalachian tradition and attending these will also add to the educational experience and understanding of Appalachian patients. In order meet this requirement, students must attend a separate fair or festival (e.g., Forest Festival (Elkins), Strawberry Festival (Buckhannon), Buckwheat Festival (Kingwood), Ramps and Rails Festival (Elkins), Mon County Fair, Picken’ in Parsons, Arthurdale Spring Fling, WV Italian Heritage Festival (Clarksburg), Vandalia Gathering (Charleston), Blue and Gray Reunion (Philippi), Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (Martinsburg), Jackson’s Mill Jubilee (Jane Lew)). Please check with course director before attending an event to be sure it meets the intended experience. Some events, fairs, or festivals may have entrance fees or require some travel, so students will need to plan accordingly. Examples of local events, fairs, and festivals can be found at the following sites: https://www.visitmountaineercountry.com/events-divi/ https://festivalguidesandreviews.com/west-virginia-festivals/ Students will be tasked with writing a reflection regarding their experiences at both a community event and a fair/festival. The events and fair/festivals can occur before the course starts, or after the course concludes, but should be discussed with the director. However, a grade will not be submitted until the reflection is submitted and graded by the course director. Students should incorporate as much of the readings as possible into their reflection pieces. Writing prompts will be relayed at the start of the course. Students must respond to all writing prompts in a short essay style format. Students should focus on answering the questions and not the length. Reflections do not require outside references or resources. Thoughts should be original, AI generated or aided responses are not acceptable. Prepare a 10–15-minute session at Medical Education Grand Rounds in March: Sessions should be self-directed in that students should select to further explore a topic area of their choice. Students should identify a topic related to Appalachia (e.g., cultural trait and impact on healthcare, health disparities, healthcare access, specific healthcare challenge/problem, historical context related to a health disparity, etc.) and prepare a brief presentation for grand rounds. The presentation should give some background of the topic, why they are interested in the topic, and possible solutions or outlooks for challenges presented. Sessions will be mentored by the Elective Rotation Director and/or other faculty members in the Department of Medical Education. 

PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE ROTATION:

Please contact Dr. Hedrick, jhedric8@hsc.wvu.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the elective.