MEL 7258: Elective in Rural or Underserved Medicine (AHEC)

Faculty and Staff at Premier Community HealthCare Group (Dade City), Suncoast Community Health Care Centers (Ruskin, Dover, Plant City), Tampa Family Health Centers, Community Health Center of Pinellas, DeSoto Memorial Hospital (Arcadia), or Citrus County Health Department (Lecanto) (Tampa)

Drs. Drew Keister and faculty with the East-central PA Area Health Education Center (AHEC) (LVHN)

Tampa

This elective rotation is designed to introduce the senior student to the unique characteristics of medical practice in a rural or underserved community. Students will be supervised by clinical family physician faculty and will gain a better understanding of providing care to a medically underserved population and the tremendous health needs that exist. Depending on the site selected, Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC may offer housing and/or a mileage stipend to students.

LVHN

This is a rural/underserved health elective in which a student will be matched with an AHEC preceptor in the Mahoning Valley, Carbon County, Lehigh County, or Northampton County area.  Responsibilities will largely be assisting with out-patient clinical care in a rural primary care office, though students may be expected to participate in hospital rounds/ER call at a hospital local to the primary practice site (depending upon preceptor).  Coordination of the elective and placement is through East-central PA Area Health Education Center (ECPA AHEC), with office located in Lehighton, PA.  This clerkship might include a daily commute of up to 60 minutes from LVHN- Cedar Crest.  Housing within the local community will not be provided.  Students should also note that "rural/underserved" is a relative term.  Many areas within 60 minutes of LVHN-Cedar Crest fit the definition and are typical of rural Pennsylvania.  However, these are not REMOTE rural communities, which have a different flavor and feel.  Students interested in a remote experience should consider other options.    

Goals and Objectives

1. Compare and contrast the health needs and problems encountered in rural or underserved practice to those encountered in prior urban practice rotations
2. Identify the unique opportunities and challenges to medical practice and life in a rural or underserved community
3. Introduce/sensitize the student to cross-cultural issues in health care
4. Understand the mechanisms and indications for consultation and referral in rural or underserved practice settings
5. Evaluate the business management of rural or underserved practice, including availability of organized funding for patient care, managed care, etc.

Organization of Elective

1. Arrangements for a specific time commitment will be made through the Department of Family Medicine in conjunction with Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC.
2. The student will accompany the clinic physician Monday through Friday at the designated clinic site, will see patients, and will perform procedures assigned by the preceptor under his/her supervision.
3. At certain locations opportunities are available for additional practice activities within the hospital, emergency department, and in the community.

Evaluation 

The assigned faculty preceptor will provide an individual evaluation addressing the student's adaptability and understanding as well as knowledge, judgment, and rapport.

Availability

Tampa

At certain sites this elective is available to USF students only. The Department of Family Medicine and Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC will make the final arrangements. Availability at all clinic sites is per the preceptor’s approval.

LVHN

Any interested student must inform Dr. Keister AT LEAST 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE ELECTIVE to allow time to coordinate with ECPA AHEC in placing them with a rural/underserved physician. Students should consider whether they would prefer a rural or underserved urban practice prior to contacting Dr. Keister.