Interprofessional Education Through Service Learning

The Feed My Sheep (FMS) Free Pediatric Clinic was organized in the Fall of 2015 to provided medical care to economically disadvantaged and medically underserved children in Bell County, Texas. When possible, adult healthcare professionals accompany the FMS team to provide a one stop shop to families needing medical care. The FMS clinic provides care to families regardless of immigration or social status. The clinic travels to both rural and urban areas to reach families who have limited transportation. The clinic is staffed by an interprofessional volunteer team of pediatricians, dentists, podiatrists, dermatologists, family practice physicians, pediatric and advanced practice nurses, dental hygenists, the Temple Noon Lions Club vision and hearing volunteers, social workers, diabetic educators, mental health counselors, and health professions students. Students from the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor School of Nursing and Physical Therapy collaborate with licensed professionals to provide no cost medical care, screenings, and health education. The FMS clinic provides an opportunity for community based interprofessional service learning experience (IPE) that might not otherwise be possible. Within this service learning activity, students interact with professionals that they might not otherwise have contact with in an academic environment. Communication, collaboration, and collegiality have developed between the clinic volunteers and students. In addition, practice partnerships between training schools have the potential to improve health outcomes of underserved populations. High risk populations should be identified to receive preventative care to decrease cost and improve health. Populations to target include those who have unstable housing, inadequate health insurance, inappropriate use of the emergency department, and poor school attendance. Students who participate in IPE service learning have a changed view regarding poverty, health, and value the new relationships. Other benefits to IPE service learning includes awareness of stereotypes, working with people different than themselves, awareness of community issues, and civic responsibility.