Curricularisation of University Community Outreach in Medical Education: Meeting of Generations for a Humanized Training

ABSTRACT

This work describes the experience of including community outreach activities of a university into the medical course curriculum, with the objectives of developing outreach actions directed at the well-being of the elderly from a Long Stay Institution (ILP). At the same time the work promoted the development of honest, caring, selfless professionals empathetic toward the “elderly” and peers involved in the actions. The model used to organize the activities combined methods of learning skills through experience, critical reflection on experiences, small group environment for support and validation, and a cohesive longitudinal program for total development. The activities were experienced in groups of 12 supervised by a teacher with weekly visits to the ILP from August to December of 2018. The model used proved to be useful for the development of humanistic characteristics. Involvement in all stages of the process and commitment to the well-being of the selected population indicate that the curricularisation fulfilled its role of providing students with the development of citizen awareness and technical training. The institution must continually offer actions for students to fully develop their human side and preserve the characteristics observed in their contact with the elderly population.

Community Outreach; Humanization of Assistance; Curriculum; Aging