Introduction to the Clinic Discussion Background Clinic Organization

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Legato, M. (Ed.). (2010). Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine. 2 . Burlington, Massachusettes: Elsevier.

Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Patient Care and Student Education at TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic:

Optimizing Patient Outcome and Educating Future Leaders in Healthcare

Michael Song, Pharm.D.

1,3

, Ryan Bullard, RN, BSN

2,3

, Kelly Bennett, M.D.

1

, Fiona Prabhu, M.D.

1

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX

1

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock, TX

2

Lubbock Impact, Inc. 501(c)3, Lubbock, TX

3

Background

TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic provides urgent and bridge care to the homeless and the uninsured working poor in and around

Lubbock. Initially established in partnership between TTUHSC

School of Medicine and Lubbock Impact, Inc 501(c)3, the clinic continues its operations with the support of many dedicated HSC and community practitioners from all disciplines. Currently, the care team at the free clinic includes physicians, nursing care staff, nursing education staff, social work staff, pharmacists, dentists, and operational support staff.

Introduction to the Clinic

TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic is open every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m., all 52 weeks of the year.

TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic provides invaluable services to many medically underserved members of the community. This is made possible by –

1. Partnership between TTUHSC and Lubbock Impact, Inc. 501(c)3, a local non-profit charitable organization

2. Support from HSC faculty

3. Support from local community practitioners

4. Support from Lubbock Impact staff

5. Student volunteers

6. Financial support from the School of Medicine Dean’s Office

7. Generous support from many local organizations.

Everyone serves at the clinic as non-paid volunteers.

Services currently provided at the clinic includes –

1. Urgent Medical Care

2. Bridge Care

3. Dental Screening

4. Dental Procedures

5. Monthly Dermatology Clinic

6. Semi-Annual Women’s Health Clinic

7. On-site Labs/Off-site Labs

8. Social Services Counseling & Referral

9. Access to On-site Pharmacy Prescription Medications for

Common Disease States such as Hypertension, Diabetes, and

Asthma

10.Comprehensive Medication Regimen Education and Counseling

11. Comprehensive Disease State Management Education and

Counseling for Common Chronic Disease States such as

Hypertension, Diabetes, and Asthma.

TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic provides a unique opportunity for students to develop clinical knowledge and skills while serving the community. More importantly, students have the opportunity to observe first-hand team-based approach to patient care. All students functions in the clinic under the supervision of a licensed provider of each discipline.

Medical Clinic

Dental Clinic

Intake

Clinic Organization

Triage

TTUHSC

Lubbock Impact

Free Clinic

Social Work

Student

Assessment

Pharmacy

Patient Flow in the Medical Clinic

Disease State

Management

Counseling

Social Work

Counseling

Pharmacy

Education &

Counseling

Discharge Counseling

Education

Provider

Assessment

Labs/Procedures

Critical Requirements

Students are under the mentorship of the appropriate licensed provider at each step of the care process

• Students are encouraged/required to spend time in each area of the clinic

• Students are encouraged to interact with providers and students from other disciplines

• Practitioner mentors are willing to mentor students of any discipline

(within his/her scope of practice)

Progress Summary

• TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic first opened its doors to patients in August of 2009. Since that time, the clinic has provided medical care to over 2,000 individual patients. The medical clinic currently sees 30-

35 patients each night.

• Lubbock Impact Dental Clinic, supported by local community practitioners has provided monthly dental screening for nearly two years. In June of 2012, the dental clinic transitioned into weekly clinic with expanded dental care services.

• Lubbock Impact Free Clinic Pharmacy opened its door to patients in

August 2012. The pharmacy provides prescription medication to clinic patients on-site. More importantly, the pharmacy provides new medication counseling, comprehensive medication regimen counseling, and disease state management education and counseling.

• The monthly dermatology clinic and semi-annual women’s health clinic was established in 2011 and continues to provide much needed services, as well as health/cancer screenings.

• Social services counseling continues to connect patients to appropriate local resources and help patients get (re)connected to regular health coverage and regular primary care providers.

• Nursing education services program is still in development. It is intended to supplement the education that is provided by the medical and pharmacy staff.

Discussion

All health professions programs share a common goal, no matter what the discipline - to produce knowledgeable, caring, compassionate and effective healthcare providers. Achieving this goal has become more challenging in recent decades, as the medical knowledge continues to expand and the healthcare system continues to become more complex.

In order to ensure the best outcome for patients, health professions programs must not only ensure that students attain necessary knowledge but also ensure that they develop into effective healthcare providers and healthcare leaders.

TTUHSC-Lubbock Impact Free Clinic provides an invaluable opportunity for students to –

1.

Observe first hand team-based multidisciplinary care model

2.

3.

4.

Learn how each profession contributes to the improvement of patient care

Be mentored by a practitioner from each discipline

Take part in providing multidisciplinary care

5.

Learn how to be effective leaders in a healthcare team.

Under the guidance of licensed practitioners, students at TTUHSC-

Lubbock Impact Free Clinic not only learn clinical skills but also learn how a health care team operates, how to optimize multidisciplinary care to patients’ benefit, and how to become effective leaders in healthcare.

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