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Community Engaged Care

Our QEP, Community Engaged Care, is part of UTHSC’s commitment to prepare graduates to understand and address the social determinants of health in the communities we serve.

Social and economic factors play a significant role in health outcomes. Everything from safety in the community, access to healthy food, availability of safe housing, and adequate public transportation affect our health status, and must be included in the health professional’s assessment of need when interacting with a patient.

A Framework for Community Engagement. Organizational focus is recognizing and addressing SDoH is a part of UTHSC's strategic plan, vision and commitment to SDoH education, and Development of new office for addressing SDoH in the curriculum and the community. The curricular and educational focus is experiential education opportunities focused on SDoH, IPE opportunities focused on SDoH, SDoH integrated into curriculum, and ongoing professional development in SDoH. The community focus is long-term sustained community engagement, reflects community priorities, and reflects reciprocal commitment.

Across the nation, health professions education programs are becoming aware that the traditional “medical model” of care is inadequate for improving overall health in a population, and reducing health disparities and inequities. Programs must focus on familiarizing students with social determinants as well as the impact of health disparities on vulnerable populations. Beyond identification, programs must equip students with the tools needed to address the social determinants of health. UTHSC has the opportunity to make Shelby County and Memphis a learning laboratory through partnerships that have as the ultimate goal providing accessible, high quality care to all and improving the health of the community.

Aug 14, 2023