Vulnerable Population Health

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 and 6-week rotation in PGY3. During this time residents engage in online modules and readings about social determinants of health, implicit bias and anti-racism. 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 twice 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. During the COVID pandemic we have been able to maintain our engagement with all community partners through creative solutions for either direct or virtual participation.

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.

Location(s): Family Medicine Residency Practice and various locations throughout Contra Costa County

Distance from Family Medicine Residency Practice: 0.0 m – 29.0 m

PGY1 Vulnerable Population Sample Schedule, Education Experiences:

PGY3 Vulnerable Population Sample Schedule, Education Experiences: