Meeting the Challenges of Caring for the Underserved
This curriculum is designed to help third year medical students explore issues in securing access to medical care and community resources for families in medically underserved communities. We hope students who complete this mini curriculum will better appreciate some of the economic and cultural barriers which exist for underserved families and develop a broader view of families and their connections to resources in the community. We also hope to give students more training and practice working with a medical interpreter and a greater understanding of the federal WIC program and Wisconsin's Badger Care Program.
This curriculum consists of some short readings, video case presentations and a sample interview.
We hope you will find the information and experiences in this curriculum make an impact on the care you provide and the relationships you foster with your patients.
- This curriculum is a required part of your pediatrics rotation.
- The curriculum is designed to be completed in order. The lessons are presented in sequence and all activities should be done before moving on to the next lesson.
Curriculum Overview
Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Understand the purpose of the unit
- Become familiar with the case study used in the unit
Required Viewing
Introduction to Curriculum
Introduction to the Gonzales Family
Meet the family that you will follow throughout the unit.
Understanding What It Means to be "Underserved"
Learning Objectives
- Define what it means to be underserved.
- Describe the importance of access as a determinant of health.
- Identify common barriers to health for underserved families.
Required Reading
Population Statistics to learn about the impact of lack of insurance on health care for children.
Andrulis D. Access to Care is the Centerpiece in the Elimination of Socioeconomic Disparities in Health. Ann Int Med. 1998; 129:412-6.
Underserved Status and Health Outcomes
Learning Objectives
- Identify common barriers to health for underserved families.
- Describe the role and responsibility of physicians in linking children and families with community resources.
Required Reading
Evans Model to learn about the many factors that influence health
Complete
Activity on Factors of Underserved to check your understanding
Screening for Underserved Status
Learning Objectives
- List I CARE
Required Reading
I CARE handout to find out how to screen for underserved status.
Required Viewing
Gonzales Family Interview
See how I CARE questions are used with a family.
Use Interpreter Services
Learning Objectives
- Describe how to utilize interpreter services effectively.
Required Reading
Working Effectively with an Interpreter for some additional guidance.
Required Viewing
Working with Interpreters
Guidelines on how to effectively employ their services.
Optional Reading
Flores G. Laws MB. Mayo SJ. Zuckerman B. Abreu M. Medina L. Hardt EJ. Errors in Medical Interpretation and Their Potential Clinical Consequences in Pediatric Encounters [Journal Article] Pediatrics. 111(1):6-14, 2003 Jan.
Prioritizing Needs
Learning Objectives
- Identify and prioritize through interview, needs that may be met through existing community resources.
Required Viewing
Prioritizing Needs
See how to handle families with multiple underserved issues.
Gonzales Family Setting Goals
See an example of prioritization.
Link with Community Resources
Learning Objectives
- Identify potential resources for underserved patients and the services provided by those resources.
- Describe the eligibility criteria and services offered by WIC and BadgerCare.
- Facilitate the child/family's access to appropriate services.
Required Reading
Required Viewing
Gonzales Family Resources
See what resources are used to address their needs.
Complete
Activity on Identifying Resources to gain practice on matching resources with needs.