Vulnerable Population Health

This is a clinical and community-based rotation that is designed to introduce and involve residents in the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model of patient care that we believe enhances rapport, improves patient care and physician satisfaction, and promotes community engagement and focuses our residents’ training on “upstream” community challenges, needs, and policies.

This is a 3-week rotation in PGY1, PGY2 and PGY 3 years. During this time residents are exposed to a variety of our local community organizations where they can engage in direct clinical care, health education activities and creative projects. A particular highlight of the rotation is participation in John Muir Health's longstanding Mobile Clinic which operates 2-3 times a week with outreach to underserved populations in Concord, Pittsburg and Brentwood.

Through these experiences we hope to cultivate and kindle the passion for care for the vulnerable, to promote health literacy and awareness of community partners, and to learn to work with a variety of health care professionals. Residents also engage in learning about social determinants of health, health disparities and diversity, equity and inclusion topics.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Behave and communicate effectively in an intercultural situation.
  • Use the best science to set mutual health goals and provide services in the context of the patient's culture and health benefits.
  • Examine factors that contribute to health disparities, particularly social, economic, environmental, health, systems, and access.
  • Critically assess the meaning and effect of multiple identities, statuses, privilege, and power on developing professional relationships.
  • Exhibit openness and tolerance for the ambiguity, complexity, and discomfort essential in developing cross-cultural relationships.
  • Improve access to health care and overall community health and health outcomes.
PGY 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
AM Community Outreach Social
Determinants of Health
or DEIA Learning		 Mobile
Health Clinic		 Community Outreach Community Outreach  
PM FM Clinic FM Clinic FM Clinic Didactics FM Clinic  

 

PGY 2 & PGY 3 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
AM Community
Outreach		 FM Clinic Community
Outreach		 Mobile
Health Clinic		 FM Clinic Mobile Health
Clinic
PM Social
Determinants of Health or DEIA Learning		 FM Clinic Community
Outreach		 Didactics FM Clinic  

Click here for information on our community partners and outreach activities.

Medical Spanish

We see many Spanish-speaking patients at both our Residency Clinic and Mobile Clinic sites and have developed a Medical Spanish longitudinal curriculum to help develop our residents’ Spanish skills. It is a multidimensional curriculum based on residents’ level of proficiency and includes self-directed learning through a medical Spanish book, mobile App, written exams, Spanish precepting, practice didactic sessions and 1:1 conversational meetings.