Interdisciplinary community health internship experience: A student's perspective

Issue: Public health, medical, and other healthcare students beginning their education often spend most of their time focusing on classes and exams. We learn about the unique issues facing the poor and disadvantaged from lectures and textbooks without ever interacting with people living in those circumstances. Off campus, there are economically disadvantaged areas that lack needed health related services. The Bridging the Gaps (BTG) Community Health Internship Program provides students training to be health professionals with hands-on experience within these underserved communities, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge to real problems.

Description: I participated in the BTG program during the summer of 2008 while pursuing my Masters in Public Health. I was paired with a student from the School of Osteopathic Medicine and worked in a grassroots community center located in a high crime neighborhood in Camden, NJ. We immediately encountered numerous barriers affecting the center, most of which were related to the lack of resources. As part of an interdisciplinary team, we assessed the center's needs and addressed them by sharing our different perspectives and problem solving approaches. Developing programs and establishing summer camp certification were only a few of the projects we collaborated on over the summer.

Lessons Learned: I found that listening to and addressing the concerns of community members was vital, and made them more receptive to education. I am better prepared to handle challenges I will face as a professional.

Recommendations: Create awareness and encourage peer involvement in Bridging the Gaps and similar opportunities.