WellNest: A Medical Student-Run Housing Support Program.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Background:

• Housing insecurity is a significant social determinant of health (SDOH), negatively impacting patient health outcomes.
• Medical school curricula increasingly incorporate SDOH, but experiential learning is crucial for contextual understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and impact of the WellNest Housing Support Program, a student-led initiative addressing housing insecurity.
• To evaluate the educational benefits for medical student volunteers (MSVs) involved in supporting clients.

Main Methods:

• WellNest, developed by Duke medical students, pairs volunteers with individuals experiencing housing insecurity for move-in assistance and longitudinal tenancy support.
• Student volunteers receive training from local experts and engage in reflective debriefing sessions.

Main Results:

• 83 student volunteers participated, facilitating 29 move-ins and providing support to 26 clients.
• Participants reported increased comfort, awareness, knowledge, and motivation in addressing housing insecurity and advocating for affected individuals.

Conclusions:

• The WellNest program effectively enhances medical students' understanding and skills related to SDOH and patient advocacy.
• Future directions include interprofessional collaboration and exploring the program's impact on clients.