Student Learners - A Joint Sharing
of Ideas and Expertise 

In collaboration with the Center for Inter-professional Practice, Education and Research (CIPER) at KU Med, Caritas Clinics welcomes medical students we call Student Learners. These are individuals finishing their clinical rotations at our clinics. These include nursing students, pharmacy doctorate students, clinical psychology students, and health information management students, some of whom are involved in health outcome research (SDOHs, antibiotic resistance, and no-shows, to name a few). Each one brings with them specialized knowledge and insight into a particular field of study which creates this symbiotic relationship between clinical Caritas staff and the learner—each imparting valuable information that furthers our goal to provide quality, compassionate care to those in need.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this program is the ‘take away’ that students reveal at the end of their rotations—the transformation they undergo in their understanding of safety net clinics, the ‘against all odds’ hurdles patients face in getting medical care, and yes—in the way they view the poor and vulnerable populations in our community. We’d like to share an excerpt below from one of those interviews with Jason Jansen, a Pharmacy Student who spent a month with us at Duchesne Clinic.

We’re blessed to have medical students like Jason with us and hope we are helping to develop and train the next generation of community health clinical providers. 

Exit Interview with:  
Jason Jansen 

Position/Capacity: Pharmacy Student
Student Learner 


I: What did you know about safety net clinics prior to coming to Duchesne? 

I knew very little. I never even heard the name “safety net clinic” before, so didn’t know quite what to expect.  


I: What has been most rewarding for you? What has been most challenging? 

The most rewarding thing is the gratitude that the patients display for helping them. They are just so grateful people are here to help. I got a chance to shadow Jana, and a couple times she had me consult with the patient first about medications before coming in to do the exam.  

I find that the most challenging aspect was the cultural/ethnic differences between the Hispanic population; not speaking the language. Learning ways to connect with the patients while using an interpreter—being sure to talk in English directly to them, even though the interpreter is translating. Maintaining that eye contact. 

I: How do you feel you have you changed? 

The biggest change I’ve experienced is my perspective on the poor. Previously I wasn’t sure how I felt about free health care; someone’s got to pay for it. I was thinking they were ungrateful…. Who are these people? Why aren’t they working? Why should I pay for their health care when I’m breaking my back in student loans to support myself?  

So easy to judge people from the outside.  

Meeting them and hearing their stories completely changed my outlook. These are people trying very hard to get by, to meet their obligations, to put food on the table for their families. I’ve come away with a profound respect for them, for safety net clinics who care for them. 
I: What are the most pressing concerns for our patients? What do they need the most related to behavioral health? 

Some of the most pressing concerns I saw were:   

  • The risks when released from, say an ER. They feel they have no place to go, and no means to pay for it, before they find out about the clinic. And what about all the people who don’t know about the clinic? What do they do? 

  • How sick they are when they do make their way to the clinic. Some come in with conditions that could have been remedied, but instead—because of their delay—have worsened to the point of irreversible damage. One man let his gout get so bad that his hands were deformed and his kidneys diseased. He’s only about 52 and will probably not live past 60. I think the reasons they wait so long, are because: 

  • They can’t afford medical care and don’t know about the clinics and; 

  • Transportation issues. 

  • Time off from work may jeopardize their job 

  • Time off means no pay, and they can’t afford the smallest decrease in pay because they’re struggling to get by as it is.  
 
I: What was your impression of Duchesne and the care our patients receive? 

Everyone at the clinic was so caring and genuine. They make sure that every person knows they are listening and that they care. I’m going to miss the camaraderie here.  
Michele Surber
Executive Director
Caritas Clinics