A Model for Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Experience for Social Change

Background and Purpose. Health professions education has come under fire for its emphasis on preparing disciplinary experts who are not attuned to community health needs and apathetic about their civic responsibilities. The need for culturally competent health practitioners skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration and communication to work in diverse communities is great. Interdisciplinary service-learning experiences provide opportunities for students in the health professions to work in teams, connect with communities, learn about complex social issues, and possibly realize their social responsibilities. This article describes a model for interdisciplinary service-learning course designed to enhance civic engagement in students. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. Faculty from 5 professional disciplines, including physical therapy, developed and implemented a service-learning course that helped students connect with people in poverty, understand the root causes of social problems, and comprehend the impact of poverty on the health of the community. Interdisciplinary groups of students, mentored by faculty, provided 18 hours of services to shelter residents and in the process developed relationships with the families at the shelter, provided support for the families, and gained insight about themselves and problems encountered by shelter residents. Outcomes. Preliminary evaluation suggests that the course objectives were met and students' feedback suggests that they valued the experience. Discussion and Conclusion. The key to change was found to be the use of faculty mentorship and reflective discourse to help students find meaning in the service-learning experience. The faculty expectation of creating a learning environment for students to experience diversity and to connect with and be moved by the experiences of the residents appears to have inspired students to continue to work for social justice as engaged citizens in their communities.