A new model for interprofessional collaboration at a student-run free clinic

Abstract

The Case Western Reserve University Student-Run Free Clinic represents a unique model of interprofessional collaboration for medical and nursing students. This clinic operates on two Saturdays a month to provide acute medical services at the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland. We describe how this clinic promotes a sense of mutual investment and interdependence among students, who contribute to the clinic through leadership, planning and patient care. Students may also develop a broader perspective and deeper respect for their professional colleagues, which translates well to a future practice with team-based coordination of clinical services and an increasing emphasis on patient-centered care.

Keywords::

• Free clinic
• interprofessional care
• interprofessional collaboration
• interprofessional education
• interprofessional practice
• student-run

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Nicole Cruver, Sarah Miano, Marlene Weinstein, Fatima Warren, Wanda Cruz-Knight, Carol Savrin, Daniel Ornt and Patricia Underwood for their invaluable contributions to the founding of the Case Western Reserve University Student-Run Free Clinic.

Declaration of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

¹ The CWRU SRFC was founded by the two authors, presently fourth-year medical students at Case Western Reserve University, as well as two graduate nursing students, Nicole Cruver and Sarah Miano.