Rural interprofessional service-learning: the Minnesota experience

Area of Science:

• Rural Health Education
• Interprofessional Health Training
• Community-Based Learning

Background:

• The Minnesota Rural Health School (MRHS) was a pioneering initiative (1996-2003) for rural, interdisciplinary health professions education.
• The Minnesota Area Health Education Center (AHEC) now coordinates interprofessional rural clinical education for the University of Minnesota.
• Service-learning projects represent a significant and lasting legacy of the MRHS program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the initial 61 service-learning projects from the MRHS.
• To identify project types with continuing community impact.
• To analyze factors influencing project selection and student engagement.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive summary of 61 completed service-learning projects.
• Survey of seven community site coordinators affiliated with MRHS.
• Analysis of project selection drivers (student interest, community interest, or both).

Main Results:

• Student interest drove 28% of project selection, community interest 10%, and a mix of both 62%.
• 30 projects were single interventions; 31 projects demonstrated ongoing impact.
• Students exhibited interprofessional synergy and creativity in addressing community health needs within 10-12 day project timelines.

Conclusions:

• Service-learning projects effectively addressed rural healthcare needs.
• A blend of student and community interests optimized project selection and impact.
• The MRHS model fostered valuable interprofessional collaboration and civic engagement in health professions students.