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Learning through the Community Service
Goran Duzel1, Tina Kristo, Marijo Parcina
1Mostar University School of Medicine, Bijeli brijeg bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croatian Medical Journal
|February 19, 2003
Summary
Medical students gained practical experience in general practice by providing healthcare to refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This program offered valuable patient interaction and supported underserved populations.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Medical Education
- Refugee Health
Background:
- Refugee populations often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare.
- Medical education models need to incorporate practical, community-based experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and evaluate a model for teaching general practice to medical students through direct care for refugees.
- To assess the benefits of this program for students, residents, and refugees.
Main Methods:
- 33 medical students participated in 51 field visits to refugee camps over two years.
- Students, alongside family medicine residents, conducted physical examinations, minor interventions, and distributed pharmaceuticals.
- A survey assessed student perceptions of the program's benefits.
Main Results:
- Students assisted in 1,302 physical examinations (e.g., blood pressure, auscultation) and 320 minor procedures (e.g., wound care).
- Pharmaceuticals distributed included analgesics, antihypertensives, and antidiabetics.
- Students valued the opportunity for hands-on experience and direct patient care.
Conclusions:
- The project successfully provided healthcare to refugees and offered practical training for medical students.
- Family medicine residents gained experience in leadership and teaching roles.
- This model demonstrates a viable approach to integrating community health and medical education.