Oct. 8, 2009
VCU medical and pharmacy students partner with CrossOver Ministry to deliver care to Richmond’s underserved populations
Share this story
Each Tuesday night this
fall, the free clinic on Cowardin Avenue in downtown Richmond will be
bustling with activity as eight second-year students from Virginia
Commonwealth University schools of Medicine and Pharmacy lend their
hands to care for some of the city’s medically underserved populations.
Through
a partnership with CrossOver Ministry, a nonprofit organization that
provides health care to the uninsured of greater Richmond, these
students will gain a hands-on experience in the practice of medicine as
they care for patients and provide them the treatment they need to
manage chronic and acute illnesses like hypertension, diabetes,
arthritis and back pain.
“We have a vision to do things
differently in how we educate our students. We’ve created a new
teaching model for these students so that they are able to truly
practice medicine, and focus on continuity of care – not just act as
observers,” said Steven Crossman, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and medical director for the International/Inner City/Rural Preceptorship, or I2CRP, through which the medical students are participating in the collaboration.
“The
students conduct patient screenings, and the intent is that they will
see the same patient in a couple of weeks for follow-up. Caring for the
patients and working alongside other students, preceptors and
supervisors gives them insight into different perspectives, and the
students learn to become better educators through these experiences,”
said Crossman.
The partnership comes at a
time of dire need for many – the recession has caused a significant
increase in uninsured people. CrossOver Ministry reports it saw 4,200
patients in the past 12 months, an increase of 1,200 over the same time
period last year. Also, in the same 12-month period, patient visits
have increased from 17,000 to more than 25,000. Many of the community
organizations involved in the health care safety net are stressed.
While the students take a lesson in
compassion and hope, they also grow as fledgling physicians and
pharmacists. On most evenings, there are typically 12 patients seen by
the care team, which includes four medical students, four pharmacy
students, Spanish-speaking interpreters, a supervising pharmacist and
two supervising physicians. The students learn first-hand how to lead a
visit and practice medicine as a team.
Sallie Mayer, Pharm. D, M.B.A.,
an assistant professor of pharmacy who leads the pharmacy student
contingent in this collaboration, has had the opportunity to work
closely with many of these student teams and has watched them grow and
become more confident and excited about their profession.
“The
pharmacy students and residents work collaboratively with the medical
students and physicians and they learn that these are their patients
and their clinic. They write notes in the patient’s charts and
follow-up with the same patients at a later date – they take
responsibility for patient care and start to practice like a provider,”
said Mayer, who has volunteered her time and clinical pharmacy
expertise to CrossOver Ministry since the beginning of 2009.
And
it’s becoming apparent to Crossman and Mayer that their students take
home with them a broad scope of skills, knowledge and understanding
that cannot be learned in the classroom alone.
“Having the
opportunity to work with medical students is both unique and
eye-opening. Collaborating with them has provided a new perspective
regarding patient care and it will definitely shape me into a
better-rounded pharmacist,” said Lauren Cox, a second-year pharmacy
student.
“Additionally, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity
and the privilege of volunteering my time and efforts to such a
wonderful place like CrossOver. In this particular setting patient care
is first and foremost and being surrounded by such a kind and caring
team of health professionals and staff has helped me realize the
gravity and importance of providing quality medical care to those so
who need it the most.”
Subscribe to VCU News
Subscribe to VCU News at newsletter.vcu.edu and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox.