Giulia Civitelli1,2, Marica Liddo3, Irene Mutta3, Bianca Maisano3, Gianfranco Tarsitani4, Maurizio Marceca4, Gonzalo Castro Cedeno3, Salvatore Geraci3. 1. Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy. giulia.civitelli@uniroma1.it. 2. Caritas Medical Area, Via Marsala 103, 00185, Rome, Italy. giulia.civitelli@uniroma1.it. 3. Caritas Medical Area, Via Marsala 103, 00185, Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Service-learning experiences, informed by the realities of poverty and marginalization, are important for the education of future health professionals in order to commit them to tackling health inequalities and working with underserved populations. At the Caritas Medical Centre for undocumented migrants and homeless in Rome, students obtain an educational experience of service. The aim of this study is to try to measure the long-term impact of this experience on the professional and life choices of the student participants. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed and distributed by email to all 19-29 years old participants in the experience. Responses were collected and analysed in a quantitative descriptive way and in a qualitative way using the knowledge, skills and attitudes model. RESULTS: One hundred and seven students responded from the total 763 questionnaires distributed. Ninety-five percent of participants expressed a very high overall satisfaction, 93% declared that the experience influenced his/her future personal choices, and 84% found that the experience influenced their professional choices. Results were arranged into 6 categories of comments: knowledge about the realities of migration, poverty, and marginalization; relational skills; collaborative skills; attitudes towards migrants, poor people and others; Attitudes towards future professions; Attitudes towards life. A final category was listed with self-reflective questions related to the experience. CONCLUSION: This research shows the importance of service-learning experiences made during academic studies from young students of medicine and other faculties. Developing a relationship with marginalized and homeless people, within a voluntary service setting, can influence the future professional and personal choices of students. Universities should recognize the value of such experiences and establish partnerships with non-profit organizations to allow future health professionals to confront health inequities and commit themselves to their reduction.
BACKGROUND: Service-learning experiences, informed by the realities of poverty and marginalization, are important for the education of future health professionals in order to commit them to tackling health inequalities and working with underserved populations. At the Caritas Medical Centre for undocumented migrants and homeless in Rome, students obtain an educational experience of service. The aim of this study is to try to measure the long-term impact of this experience on the professional and life choices of the student participants. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed and distributed by email to all 19-29 years old participants in the experience. Responses were collected and analysed in a quantitative descriptive way and in a qualitative way using the knowledge, skills and attitudes model. RESULTS: One hundred and seven students responded from the total 763 questionnaires distributed. Ninety-five percent of participants expressed a very high overall satisfaction, 93% declared that the experience influenced his/her future personal choices, and 84% found that the experience influenced their professional choices. Results were arranged into 6 categories of comments: knowledge about the realities of migration, poverty, and marginalization; relational skills; collaborative skills; attitudes towards migrants, poor people and others; Attitudes towards future professions; Attitudes towards life. A final category was listed with self-reflective questions related to the experience. CONCLUSION: This research shows the importance of service-learning experiences made during academic studies from young students of medicine and other faculties. Developing a relationship with marginalized and homeless people, within a voluntary service setting, can influence the future professional and personal choices of students. Universities should recognize the value of such experiences and establish partnerships with non-profit organizations to allow future health professionals to confront health inequities and commit themselves to their reduction.
Entities:
Keywords:
Global health education; Homeless people; Migrants; Refugees; University’s third mission
Authors: Julio Frenk; Lincoln Chen; Zulfiqar A Bhutta; Jordan Cohen; Nigel Crisp; Timothy Evans; Harvey Fineberg; Patricia Garcia; Yang Ke; Patrick Kelley; Barry Kistnasamy; Afaf Meleis; David Naylor; Ariel Pablos-Mendez; Srinath Reddy; Susan Scrimshaw; Jaime Sepulveda; David Serwadda; Huda Zurayk Journal: Lancet Date: 2010-11-26 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Giulia Silvestrini; Bruno Federico; Gianfranco Damiani; Salvatore Geraci; Stefania Bruno; Bianca Maisano; Walter Ricciardi; Anton Eduard Kunst Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2017-02-01 Impact factor: 3.367