Service Learning Blog Entry - End of Semester 2

Hello to everyone who is following my Service Learning Blog!

I can't believe that the semester is coming to an end soon. It has been a great learning experience for me, and one that I look forward to continuing in the semesters to follow. The following are my answers to the specific questions that we as a class have been asked to address in our service learning blog:


Are people you came in contact with through this experience having some needs met through the community activities? Are community activities like these necessary and/or sufficient to fulfill these community and individual needs? Do you see other means to do so?
 
The people that utilize the clinic are having some of their health care needs met through community activities. At Good Samaritan Clinic, appointments for primary health care services are available but often there is a wait of 1-2 weeks for an appointment time. There is very limited time for acute or "sick" visits. This is a concern since many patients will have to use a local emergency room instead or choose not to have care due to inability to pay. For dental needs, the Community Dental Clinic offers services but there is a 2-3 month wait for an appointment. Again, many of these patients will utilize one of the local emergency rooms for acute dental emergencies and often can't afford to pay. There is a dental clinic at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith that offers dental services on a reduced pay-scale. Appointments are limited there also. Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center offers mental health services to all ages and reduced rates are available to qualifying clients.

I view all of these services as necessary although many are insufficient due to the lack of appointments and/or wait times for appointments. Many individuals' needs are not met by services in the community especially if ability to pay prohibits their access to care. There are other means to do so but unfortunately there is a lack of local, state, and federal funding to expand and/or develop additional health care service programs in the area. This is a national problem that needs to be addressed but unfortuately in this political climate neither side seems willing to negotiate for an improved health care environment for the most needy and underserved client populations.


What was the best/worst/most challenging thing that happened this semester?

 The best and also the most challenging thing that happened this semester was the planning of the diabetic education classes themselves. Most of the diabetic teaching materials that were in use at the clinic were outdated, and I needed to locate additional materials to use for my project. I was able to contact the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and locate patient education materials in English and Spanish. The ADA also has a Patient Education Toolkit that has great information! Another source of information on diabetic education materials is the MERCK-sponsored Conversation Map Program. I was able to receive a firsthand account of how this education program works at AHEC-Fort Smith. I spoke with one of the trained facilitators in the facility, and she was able to offer valuable information for me to locate the necessary materials and register for the training online. I am excited about the possibility of bringing this program to Good Samaritan Clinic.

 What have you learned about yourself?

I have learned a great deal about myself through the service learning experience. I often do not stop to appreciate everything that I have been blessed with in my life, including health, children, family, friends, etc. It is truly a blessing to have an education and have the ability to pursue a doctoral degree. I have found that I take many things for granted and need to appreciate each day that God gives me on this earth. After having had the privilege of meeting some of the employees at the clinic, I am looking forward to working with them and to serve the clients that utilize the clinic. Although I have had limited exposure to the clients themselves, I have been struck by the stories that I have heard and the needs that have been expressed by the clinic workers and the clients themselves.


What are your future service learning plans?

I have several plans for longitudinal service learning at the Good Samaritan Clinic. This summer I plan on beginning to offer the diabetic education classes at the clinic on a bi-monthly basis. I would like to complete the online Conversation Map Program (Healthy Interactions, 2009) training course before beginning the classes. There are plans for a Health Fair in the fall semester, and my students will be involved as well. I am really excited about all of the possiblities.

God Bless!

Felicia

Conversation Map Program information available at
http://www.healthyinteractions.com/conversation-map-programs/helping-manage-chronic-disease/diabetes