An interdisciplinary community-based educational model

The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative partnership among academic, community, and service to better meet the health care needs of underserved populations. The Center for Community Health Education, Research, and Service--a coalition of Boston education institutions, health services providers, and community agencies--was formed with a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The initial goal was to establish academic community health centers comparable to the large teaching hospitals that combine service, education, and research as the corner-stone of their mission. With faculty based in the neighborhood health centers, students have learning opportunities to assess, plan care, and treat individuals and families using a community-based primary care model. The nature of the partnership, including the structure and process of implementation, is described. The developmental socialization of advanced practice nursing students in a community based-setting is discussed. Educational and service outcomes are identified.