A novel resource model for underprivileged health support: Community Medical Outreach

Community Medical Outreach is a student-run organization that provides healthcare access to medically underprivileged farm workers. The program exploits the substantial energy, enthusiasm and organizational capacity of pre-medical students as they prepare to apply for medical school. All of the partners benefit from the interchange. The students gain from a unique first-hand medical experience that demonstrates their leadership, management skills, commitment to a healthcare team, and focus on care at the community level. Those in most need gain healthcare access. Volunteer staff and physicians are inspired by the students and are energized by caring for those most in need of health care. The companies, agencies, and organizations donating supplies, drugs, expertise, and sponsorship benefit from enhanced public relations. The article describes the initiation, the lessons learned, the critical importance of linkages, and the essential components such as individual and institutional liability. Community Medical Outreach is an important vehicle for shaping students in the process of becoming physicians, shaping those involved with the process of admitting students, shaping training experiences, and shaping new models of health care.