Telemedicine Medical Care Volunteerism Organizations Medical Students Hit the Streets (Continued from page 15)
care). A typical team consists of two or three medical students and a physician, who set up a table at St. Mark’s and Holy Rosary during dinnertime. Clients receive free essential giveaways, basic medical care, and education on their own terms in a comfortable and familiar environment. Each shift is well equipped with ample giveaways, which include hygiene supplies that most people take for granted, such as soap, lotion, shampoo, toothbrushes, razors, socks and condoms. However, most of the clients are familiar with ISTOP and come weekly with specific medical questions and concerns. Students perform blood glucose and blood pressure checks, and other simple medical exams. If a client has a complicated question or concern, they are referred to the preceptor on site, and preceptors can perform sensitive and more involved exams away from the table if necessary. The team is also equipped to perform otoscopic and ophthalmologic exams as well as attend to basic wounds. Additionally, the preceptor is able to prescribe and dispense over-the-counter medications and basic antibiotics to our clients. However, without a preceptor present, medical students cannot perform any of the basic care provided and are limited to giveaways and medical education only. Between June and May 2013, over 500 people visited the ISTOP tables at the different sites. A majority was estimated to be repeat clients. A diverse group of ethnicities were represented overall at all the sites, with the most represented age group being between 20 and 29 years old. However, the age range was wide. Most people were concerned about diabetes and their blood pressure. Other concerns included fever, flu and other upper respiratory infections, sexually transmitted illness and pregnancy concerns, injury and musculoskeletal pain, and skin concerns. A small percentage also came for education and referrals. Although basic, the care and support ISTOP provides are crucial for our clients. For example, socks are the most popular giveaway and we run out almost every shift. While providing socks is not a direct medical care, it is especially critical for 16
January/February 2014
Preceptor Recruitment
ISTOP is only possible because of the dedicated work of the medical students and preceptor physicians who volunteer and guide us. However, the organization is currently experiencing a shortage of preceptors. Without a physician present onsite, medical students cannot perform any of the much-needed health checks or basic, but crucial, health care. We are a group of dedicated and energetic medical students, and we ask for your help so that we can continue our mission of providing hope, engagement, and care to fellow Minnesotans experiencing homelessness and poor health. Please contact ISTOP leadership at istopleadership@gmail.com if you interested in volunteering or learning more about the organization. You can also contact Dr. John Song at songx006@umn.edu or (612) 624-8936 if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
homeless individuals in Minnesota, where cold exposure and injury are common in the winter. Another example is that by providing seemingly simple wound care and antibiotics early, we can prevent severe infections, which are very common among homeless individuals. Another unique aspect of ISTOP is that we have the time to talk and connect with our clients: sometimes, and most importantly, students simply lend an ear. Second year medical student, Lindsey Zhang, recalls meeting a man once who sat down at the table, not for health checks or giveaways, but to talk and grieve. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer and just needed a friend. Although ISTOP strives to provide multifaceted care to our clients, we are limited in what we can provide and do not see ourselves as the clients’ primary care provider. We provide referrals should a client need and desire more care to the free or sliding-scale clinics in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. We especially try to connect clients to clinics near their homes or shelters. Additionally, we are hoping to collaborate with University of Minnesota students from the School of Social Work in the future, so that we can provide our clients with any additional support and resources that ISTOP may be lacking at the moment. We are humbled by our client population, and therefore continue to grow, expand and learn so that we can meet the needs of our clients. A project we are currently undertaking is providing flu
vaccines at all the sites next fall. Last year, ISTOP was able to provide flu vaccines at one of the sites with the help of pharmacy students at the University of Minnesota, who are trained early to give vaccines. Our current goal is to create the infrastructure necessary to maintain a cost-efficient and sustainable vaccine program in the future. Many clients have numerous reservations about getting vaccinated, which is why this program is a great opportunity to educate and dispel incorrect popular assumptions about vaccines. Additionally, per requests from clients, we’re looking into providing reading glasses and bus passes this year if our budget allows it. In writing this, I have had an opportunity to reflect on my involvement with ISTOP. I first became interested in the group during my first semester in medical school after one of Dr. Song’s lectures about the importance of advance directives and end-of-life planning in homeless population because a large number of those experiencing homelessness either die outside or alone. I was immediately drawn to ISTOP’s theme of providing dignified care for a population that has been alienated by the health care system and health care professionals. Although volunteering at ISTOP is a short time commitment, it has been an impactful experience for me and many other medical students. Tobi Olayiwola is a 2nd year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Tobi can be reached at: olay0005@ umn.edu
MetroDoctors
The Journal of the Twin Cities Medical Society