TESTIMONIAL: An indispensable model for medicine The patients we see in the Family Medicine clinic at the University of Kansas Medical Center have needs that go beyond the exam room and stem from their home environments and neighborhoods. So often, these needs have to be met before they can focus on the medical interventions we prescribe. In fact, these needs — related to financial stability, safety, housing, immigration, disability — have to be addressed before our medical therapies even have a chance to work. Many of the patients I treat are elderly or have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Over the last two years, the lawyers and law students at the MLP Clinic have helped my patients with advance care planning — drafting wills and establishing advanced directives and powers of attorney. For terminally ill patients, this means knowing that their voices will be heard when and if they cannot advocate for themselves. For their families, advanced care planning allows them to focus on the immediate needs of their loved ones, all the while knowing that they can express the wishes of their loved ones if needed. I cannot imagine practicing medicine anymore without legal services available on-site at the hospital to provide this kind of care to my patients. The MLP Clinic has also opened up a great learning opportunity for students. I am part of the Interprofessional Teaching Clinic that brings medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and health professions students together to participate in shared learning at the point of care. Students see patients as a team, and when they identify I-HELP issues, they consult with law students. In addition, law students now join “Studio Pop” a few times each semester. Studio Pop provides protected time for all of our students to reflect and
I cannot imagine practicing medicine anymore without legal services available on-site at the hospital.
JANA K. ZAUDKE, MD, MA
Assistant Professor & Director of Family Medicine Inpatient Service University of Kansas Medical Center debrief on their weekly interactions with patients and brainstorm how they can improve patient care through their collaborative efforts. The student teams also take their services to the community, doing in-home visits with patients who have complex medical and legal issues. During Studio Pop, students gain insight into each other’s training and profession and respect for one another’s expertise. We learn how to talk with one another without using the jargon associated with each professional culture. In doing this, we have a chance to reach out to one another as human beings and professionals, all for the sake of a common goal — our patients.
THANK YOU to our generous funding partners
KU Law Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic | November 2013