Healthcare Education

1270987_613364502048744_709067223_o.jpgThe purpose of Physicians CareConnection Healthcare Education is to enhance the medical
education of future healthcare professionals by teaching social accountability.  Social Accountability is the obligation to direct education, research, and service activities towards addressing priority health concerns and making tangible positive effects on the health status in local communities.

PCC works with over 300 students annually with majors or interest in the healthcare profession, providing opportunities for medical education. Due to the volume of students and the changing healthcare environment, it is imperative that PCC explores an intentional approach to coordinate this activity. There is a push in schools and universities to change medical education so that it includes learning about the importance of social determinants and its impact on the health status of a community. PCC has designed a program that aligns PCC’s values of serving vulnerable populations with the goals of university and collegiate programming to give students early exposure and experience with serving and treating people who medically underserved.

Healthcare Education Goals
After engaging with our programming, participants will be able to do one or more of the following:
1. Name five health inequalities and describe their impact on health equity
2. Identify five social factors that lead to poor healthcare outcomes
3. Describe the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
4. Identify prevention and service learning activities for people with chronic disease
5. Define key factors through data mining to evaluate program outcomes and explore opportunities for improvement

Healthcare Education Strategy
The opportunity to observe healthcare professionals and patient interactions
Patient Experience: Pairing participants with a patient within the clinic and walking through the process with them
Process Engagement: Application of knowledge to assist in care coordination and/or quality improvement projects
Cultural Inclusion: Inclusion in the diverse culture of the PCC patients, volunteers, and staff, to build upon current knowledge and skill
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine: Including CAMs into the clinic so further knowledge can be gained around the integration with conventional medicine

Benefits of PCC's Healthcare Education Program
Synergies between community programs, education, and healthcare systems
2. Data collection to develop or refine health/social interventions
3. Horizontal and vertical health inequity improvement
4. Helping patients access care by assisting patients in removing or overcoming barriers
5. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) opportunities for healthcare professionals

To get involved, contact Operations & Healthcare Education Program Coordinator Audrey Barker at