Operation Homefront: Meeting Clerkship Competencies with Home Visits to Families of Children with Special Needs. Journal Article


Authors: Anderson, EE; Boyd, B; Qureshi, NK; Stirling, JM; McCarthy, V; Kuczewski, MG
Article Title: Operation Homefront: Meeting Clerkship Competencies with Home Visits to Families of Children with Special Needs.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We assessed how third-year medical students' written reflections on a home visit experience with families of children with special needs demonstrate evidence of exposure to nine selected competencies for pediatric clerkships designated by the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP). METHODS: We reviewed written reflections from 152 third-year medical students. For each competency (two related to communication were combined), we tabulated the number of reflections in which a given competency was demonstrated. Within each competency, themes are described and presented with exemplary quotes to provide a more robust picture of students' exposure and experience. RESULTS: Of 152 reflections, 100% demonstrated at least one of the eight expected competencies. Each reflection exhibited an average of three (3.1) competencies (range: 1-7). The competencies most frequently mentioned were demonstration of respect for patient, parent, and family attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles (90%) and demonstration of positive attitude toward education (76%). Less frequently mentioned competencies included demonstration of behaviors and attitudes that promote patients' and families' best interests (41%); demonstration of effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (a combination of two communication-related competencies) (33%); and description of barriers that prevent children from accessing health care (37%). The following competencies were least often mentioned: description of a pediatrician's role and responsibility in advocating for patients' needs (10%), description of the important role of patient education (8%), or description of the types of problems that benefit from a community approach (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis demonstrates that community-based home visits can provide medical students with opportunities to meet required pediatric clerkship competencies.
Journal Title: Academic pediatrics
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2018