The Utility of EMRs in Student Run Clinics

Abstract

Summary Background A student‐run free clinic (SRFC) is a health care delivery system in which undergraduate medical students assume the responsibility of an outpatient health clinic. This provides a unique opportunity for early exposure to patients in a student's pre‐clinical years. Methods Pre‐ and post‐experience electronic surveys were sent out to first‐year medical students who were required to complete a minimum of three sessions as a volunteer at one of two SRFCs in the metro Detroit area. The Fisher's exact test was used to assess for a significant change after clinic experience with p < 0.05. Results Thirty‐one students completed the pre‐experience survey. Twenty‐five students completed the post‐experience survey. The Fisher's exact test demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of positive answers for questions concerning comfort with taking a medical history (p = 0.002) and comfort with using an electronic medical record (EMR) (p = 0.048). There was no significant difference in comfort working as part of a team (p = 0.581), discussing a patient with a physician (p = 0.602) or interacting with different socio‐economic backgrounds (p = 0.720). Conclusion SRFCs provide a beneficial opportunity for early patient and clinical exposure for pre‐clinical medical students, including practice using an EMR, which is an essential tool in our electronic era. More research, however, is needed to determine the most effective way to teach skillful EMR use.

Understanding Student-Run Health Initiatives in the Context of Community-Based Services: A Concept Analysis and Proposed Definitions

“…While there were similarities across the definitions that reflect a focus on provision or delivery of a health-related service by students and some delineation of student roles, there was not a common definition for student-run health initiatives. With respect to the roles of students, 13 definitions explicitly described students as having the primary responsibility for operationalizing the health initiative, 5 , 8 , 21 , 34 , 45 - 50 , 52 , 69 , 70 5 stated that medical students are the primary leads, 5 , 8 , 46 , 48 , 70 1 noted the voluntary nature of the initiative. 49 About 10 definitions explicitly highlighted the supervisory or support roles of licensed professionals, 5 , 45 , 47 - 53 , 69 6 delineated specific target client groups (eg, underserved), 5 , 22 , 45 , 48 , 49 , 51 and none of the definitions indicated an association with a formal education program, although 3 mentioned providing a learning opportunity or environment for students.…”

“…1 , 34 , 41 , 44 , 56 , 57 , 75 , 95 , 105 - 107 While educational preparation of students was noted as a motivation for this level of engagement by institutions, such as providing interprofessional education, practical experience, or exposure to specific populations, 6 , 29 , 35 , 43 , 85 , 89 , 102 , 107 , 108 community engagement, mandatory service learning, and provision of service to stakeholders, including the public, were also reported. 18 , 21 , 35 , 54 , 70 , 73 , 98 Active recruitment of students to programs or provision of innovative services, for example collaborative programs, were other motivations cited for educational institutions to formally be involved with student-run initiatives. 17 , 81 , 85 , 105…”

“…), 6.3% were mobile to serve clients in various places, 18 , 22 , 35 , 39 , 41 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 70 , 75 , 88 , 107 and other sites, such as immunization clinics, were identified as temporary. 54 , 56 , 76 Static locations were frequently associated with churches and religious organizations (eg, Salvation Army and North Dallas Shared Ministries) 29 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 61 , 65 , 70 , 71 but also with non-profit and non-government organizations, such as shelters, recovery centers, and other associations. 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 35 , 41 Other sites included schools and community centers.…”

“…1 , 39 , 45 , 74 , 103 Of the articles reviewed, 76.1% (n = 169) explicitly identified use of a static site where the initiative was situated in a physical location (eg, church, shelter, etc. ), 6.3% were mobile to serve clients in various places, 18 , 22 , 35 , 39 , 41 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 70 , 75 , 88 , 107 and other sites, such as immunization clinics, were identified as temporary. 54 , 56 , 76 Static locations were frequently associated with churches and religious organizations (eg, Salvation Army and North Dallas Shared Ministries) 29 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 61 , 65 , 70 , 71 but also with non-profit and non-government organizations, such as shelters, recovery centers, and other associations.…”

Impact of Patient Portal Messaging Reminders with Self-Scheduling Option on Influenza Vaccination Rates: a Prospective, Randomized Trial

“…Furthermore, the use of student-run free clinics and other clinics that actively provide outreach into the local community represent another avenue for improving vaccination rates in homeless and low socioeconomic populations, however further study is needed 32 . Some of these clinics are held within soup kitchens or other locations at which patients can be approached regarding vaccination when they otherwise would not present in a healthcare setting 33 .…”