MEL 8332: Elective in Rural Medicine (AHEC)

Faculty and Staff at Health Resource Alliance (Pasco), Suncoast Community Health Centers (Hillsborough), DeSoto Memorial Hospital (Arcadia), or other rural sites

This elective is designed to introduce senior students to the practice of medicine in a rural community. Under the supervision of clinical faculty, students will have the opportunity to practice in a private office or in a community/migrant health center. Students will also round with the preceptor in the hospital. This elective will provide students with a better understanding of rural medicine and the tremendous health needs of underserved rural and migrant populations. Housing will be provided for students at DeSoto Memorial Hospital. Gulfcoast South AHEC will provide students with a fixed travel reimbursement.

 Objectives

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

Evaluation

The clinical faculty will evaluate the progress and performance of the student in the clinical setting(s).

This elective must be scheduled through Anne Maynard from the AHEC office. Final arrangements for the elective must be made through the Ms. Maynard in conjunction with Gulfcoast North or Gulfcoast South AHEC.