Begley K, Haddad AR, Christensen C, Lust E. A health education program for underserved community youth led by health professions students.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION 2009;
73:98. [PMID:
19885067 PMCID:
PMC2769542 DOI:
10.5688/aj730698]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 03/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To develop and implement a health fair and educational sessions for elementary school children led by health professions students.
DESIGN
The structure and process were developed with elementary school administration to determine the health topics to be covered. Students and faculty members created a "hands-on," youth-oriented health fair and interactive health educational sessions. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on learning outcomes from the underserved child population and health professions students.
ASSESSMENT
The health fair and educational sessions increased awareness of underserved youth in the areas of critical health behaviors, purposeful education on health issues facing their community, and exposure to careers in various health professions. The activities provided meaningful learning experiences for the health professions students.
CONCLUSION
The health education program model is an excellent way to teach health education, communication and critical thinking skills, and service learning to health professions students.
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