Student reactions to a community-based experience for health professions education

Student responses to a community health program in a rural Mexican-American town are presented. Off-campus training was provided for 104 health professions students, during which health evaluations were made of 741 elementary school children. The students reported that the program allowed them to apply clinical skills, that they were more interested in rural practice, and that their reaction to working in teams was overwhelmingly positive. The students reported that teaming offered as advantages greater knowledge and appreciation of other disciplines, more comprehensive patient care, increased knowledge of communication processes, and exposure to relevant clinical skills from other disciplines. Their perceptions of the advantages of teaming varied among the disciplines. The program provided a learning experience for the students and resulted in improved health care for the town.