Collaborative Community Health Education: The Amaus Clinic Experience

1. Collaborative Community Health Education: The Amaus Clinic Experience  Barbara M. Carranti, MS, RN, CNS Le Moyne College, Department of Nursing

2. The Background > 45 million uninsured Poor and near-poor have the greatest risk of being uninsured Increasing number of uninsured middle class The uninsured are at an increased risk for multiple social problems 47 million and counting are uninsured Poor and near-poor have the greatest risk of being uninsured Numbers of uninsured middle class are growing consistently Being uninsured is a symptom of social vulnerability and puts people at risk for other social problems 47 million and counting are uninsured Poor and near-poor have the greatest risk of being uninsured Numbers of uninsured middle class are growing consistently Being uninsured is a symptom of social vulnerability and puts people at risk for other social problems

3. The Impact of Medical Indigence Defined as the debilitating cyclic effects of poverty, uninsured status, inhibited access to health care and poor health Clearly damages the dignity of individuals Impinges upon a fundamental aspect of several theological and philosophical systems of thought

4. The Justification Access to quality healthcare is a key variable in addressing destitution

5. Amaus Amaus Health Services at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was opened on July 2, 2007 Multifaceted approach to health care delivery Housed in the same location as the Cathedral Emergency Services

6. Innovative Concept Faculty operated Involvement of multiple institutions Inclusion of theory application, skill enhancement, and social and political awareness The concept of faculty operated medical and nursing practice is not new. However the educational model implemented at Amaus is an innovative concept. The most unique element of the educational experience at Amaus is the inclusion of multiple institutions of higher learning in the Syracuse area. This model joins the state university system, the private Jesuit operated college, with multiple other public learning centers in collaboratively caring for those in need and educating students in the health and human service professions. This model combines application of theory and skill development with discussions of social justice and political influence on health care.The concept of faculty operated medical and nursing practice is not new. However the educational model implemented at Amaus is an innovative concept. The most unique element of the educational experience at Amaus is the inclusion of multiple institutions of higher learning in the Syracuse area. This model joins the state university system, the private Jesuit operated college, with multiple other public learning centers in collaboratively caring for those in need and educating students in the health and human service professions. This model combines application of theory and skill development with discussions of social justice and political influence on health care.

7. Added Benefits Collaboration with faculty Integrated practice Respect for other disciplines Increased awareness of needs of the underserved The Amaus education model allows students to collaborate with faculty from their own college as well as faculty from other area schools in providing care. The practice model is one of integrated practice, bringing multiple professional disciples together. This allows for the achievement of the primary educational goal of increasing student awareness of the needs of the poor and medically underserved, but also increases student respect for the members of the other disciples working and learning at the clinic site.The Amaus education model allows students to collaborate with faculty from their own college as well as faculty from other area schools in providing care. The practice model is one of integrated practice, bringing multiple professional disciples together. This allows for the achievement of the primary educational goal of increasing student awareness of the needs of the poor and medically underserved, but also increases student respect for the members of the other disciples working and learning at the clinic site.

8. Support of Classroom Curricula Cultural competence Advancing awareness of U.S health objectives Support of mission Classroom curricula are supported by the faculty and student practice model. Health care curricula must have a focus on cultural competence in order to meet the needs of the ever changing American population. Amaus provides the student a view into the culture of the poor and homeless in their own community and enhances their ability to provide and advocate for competent care to meet the needs of this population. In addition, the Le Moyne nursing students utilize the clinic as an avenue to evaluate the health care system’s ability to achieve the U.S. health care objectives as pu forth by Healthy People 2010. From the perspective of the Colleges, the essence of their individual missions meld together at a place like Amaus which supports quality health care education and development of leaders, while fostering a spirit of service.Classroom curricula are supported by the faculty and student practice model. Health care curricula must have a focus on cultural competence in order to meet the needs of the ever changing American population. Amaus provides the student a view into the culture of the poor and homeless in their own community and enhances their ability to provide and advocate for competent care to meet the needs of this population. In addition, the Le Moyne nursing students utilize the clinic as an avenue to evaluate the health care system’s ability to achieve the U.S. health care objectives as pu forth by Healthy People 2010. From the perspective of the Colleges, the essence of their individual missions meld together at a place like Amaus which supports quality health care education and development of leaders, while fostering a spirit of service.

9. The Outcome Over 400 patient visits in the first year of service Students from three local colleges working and learning together Overwhelmingly positive student evaluations of the “Amaus Experience”

10. References This presentation is based on: Satterly, L., Carranti, B., Quartier, N., Morley, C. & Marina, J. Inner-City Health Care and Education: A Partnership in Catholic Social Teaching as presented at the conference Catholic Social Teaching and Health Care, Villanova University, March 2008. Under consideration for publication. Clark, M.J. (2008). Community health nursing: Advocacy for population health, (5th ed.), p. 160-71. HealthyPeople.gov National Coalition on Health Care, Facts on Insurance Coverage.http://www.nchc.org/facts/coverage.shtml retrieved 5/21/08