Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges

Background: Community-based education is a component of many medical curricula and may contribute to the solution of inequity in health services. Aims: This article evaluates a Community-based practice program (CBPP) conducted at Gippsland Medical School, Monash University. Students gain exposure to...

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Main Authors: Mudarikwa, R., McDonnell, J., Whyte, S., Villanueva, E., Hill, R., Hart, William, Nestel, D.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2010
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19570
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author Mudarikwa, R.
McDonnell, J.
Whyte, S.
Villanueva, E.
Hill, R.
Hart, William
Nestel, D.
author_facet Mudarikwa, R.
McDonnell, J.
Whyte, S.
Villanueva, E.
Hill, R.
Hart, William
Nestel, D.
author_sort Mudarikwa, R.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Community-based education is a component of many medical curricula and may contribute to the solution of inequity in health services. Aims: This article evaluates a Community-based practice program (CBPP) conducted at Gippsland Medical School, Monash University. Students gain exposure to the community and conduct a community-based research project. The principal objective of the CBPP is to provide students with an opportunity to develop an interprofessional perspective on the application of social equity, justice and models of health interventions in the community. Methods: Students and representatives from community organisations (community educators) evaluated the CBPP using questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. Results: Students agree that participating in the CBPP improves understanding of community services, barriers and social determinants of health and the roles of health professionals. Community educators view the CBPP as a valuable platform for mutual learning for all parties involved, with students gaining real life experience. Challenges in the CBPP include formulating and conducting a research project and contextualisation of didactic material at community sites. Conclusion: From this evaluation, based as it is on 1 year and limited data, we cannot unequivocally claim that the program fully meets its overall objective; however, there are positive outcomes and pointers to success. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-195702017-09-13T13:46:02Z Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges Mudarikwa, R. McDonnell, J. Whyte, S. Villanueva, E. Hill, R. Hart, William Nestel, D. Background: Community-based education is a component of many medical curricula and may contribute to the solution of inequity in health services. Aims: This article evaluates a Community-based practice program (CBPP) conducted at Gippsland Medical School, Monash University. Students gain exposure to the community and conduct a community-based research project. The principal objective of the CBPP is to provide students with an opportunity to develop an interprofessional perspective on the application of social equity, justice and models of health interventions in the community. Methods: Students and representatives from community organisations (community educators) evaluated the CBPP using questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. Results: Students agree that participating in the CBPP improves understanding of community services, barriers and social determinants of health and the roles of health professionals. Community educators view the CBPP as a valuable platform for mutual learning for all parties involved, with students gaining real life experience. Challenges in the CBPP include formulating and conducting a research project and contextualisation of didactic material at community sites. Conclusion: From this evaluation, based as it is on 1 year and limited data, we cannot unequivocally claim that the program fully meets its overall objective; however, there are positive outcomes and pointers to success. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted. 2010 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19570 10.3109/0142159X.2010.509417 restricted
spellingShingle Mudarikwa, R.
McDonnell, J.
Whyte, S.
Villanueva, E.
Hill, R.
Hart, William
Nestel, D.
Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title_full Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title_fullStr Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title_full_unstemmed Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title_short Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: Benefits and challenges
title_sort community-based practice program in a rural medical school: benefits and challenges
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19570