MDE 8030B: BRIDGE Mentor Longitudinal Elective 15-16

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Last updated: Feb 05, 2015

Any interested student MUST obtain permission from Dr. Gonzalez (egonzale@health.usf.edu) prior to registering. Ideally, this should be done prior to the start of the academic year.


This elective is designed to strengthen the clinical and mentorship skills of senior medical students by involving them in the care of an under-served patient population. Students will join the volunteer medical staff at BRIDGE Clinic in caring for the university area community, and will be expected to attend a minimum of 15 clinics. They will also mentor lower classmen under the supervision of USF and community preceptors during clinic hours. They will prepare and lead at least three teaching sessions designed to prepare lower classmen for clinical encounters. Finally, they will have the opportunity to participate in a research project benefiting either the clinic or the surrounding community.

Objectives

  1. Identify the special challenges in working with under-served populations, cultural differences, and barriers to access of care
  2. Understand the unique constraints encountered by a free clinic
  3. Attain competency in formulating lesson plans and leading group sessions
  4. Improve clinical body of knowledge and gain proficiency in diagnosis, management, and physical exam skills in a primary care setting
  5. Collaborate with an inter-professional team in the management of patients
  6. Become familiar with community resources and their contributions to patient well-being


The elective is comprised of 3 sub-components:

  1. Weekly Clinics: The clinical mentors are expected to attend a minimum of 15 clinic nights. During clinic they will lead a medical team and will be expected to teach their lowerclassmen appropriate physical exam and diagnosis skills.
  2. Clinical Teaching Sessions: The clinical mentors will be expected to formulate and prepare small groups sessions focusing on preparing underclassmen for clinic nights at BRIDGE. This will include clinic flow, interview tactics, physical exam skills, and discussion of common complaints seen in clinic.
  3. Research Project: The clinical mentors will have the option to collaborate with directors and staff on an ongoing or new project. The project should be appropriately developed to allow for submission of an abstract to the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics’ Annual Conference.

Evaluation

 

Clinical mentors will be evaluated based on punctuality, professionalism, respectfulness and engagement in teaching. Their performance will also be evaluated based on feedback from clinical preceptors. A PASS grade will be given to students who complete all required clinic nights and teaching sessions. A HONORS grade will be given to students who also choose to meaningfully participate in a research project.