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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Dec 31.
Published in final edited form as: Acad Med. 2014 Aug;89(8):1149–1152. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000363

Table 1.

Sample Syllabus for iCHEE Coursework for Interprofessional Students, Global Health Center, Oregon Health & Science Universitya

Session Specific objectives Activities
1 Understand the socio-cultural complexities and
the context of underserved people, those who
have been displaced involuntarily, and others
who have migrated to the United States from
low-income countries.		 Orientation includes:

  • A visit to the Medical Teams International’s Real Life exhibitb and sensitization of students to life as a refugee

  • A discussion of challenges faced by refugee, homeless and underserved populations in the United States

  • Faculty primers of the common health problems of iCHEE clients (e.g., diabetes, dental and mental health problems)

  • A video illustrating healthcare interactions with culturally and linguistically diverse patients

  • Access to Culture Vision,c a web-based global information center on diverse cultures and associated practices
2–5 Work in interprofessional teams; develop an
understanding of and respect for individual
clients from diverse cultures; learn to interact
with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic
backgrounds; execute physical exams with
minimum equipment; consult with faculty
mentors regarding client referral to a mobile or
other primary care facility.

  • Sessions seek a 2-way exchange of information between the student team and the client under the supervision of a faculty member and with the assistance of a translator if required

  • Students perform a health-screening exam with a focus on blood pressure; ear, eye and oral cavity; chest auscultation, and body mass index

  • Clients receive guidance on nutrition, exercise and medication

  • End-of-session group discussion to assess barriers to intercultural interaction between student and client and interprofessional interactions among student team members

  • End-of-elective individual student written reflection on the iCHEE experience

Abbreviations: iCHEE = interprofessional Community Health and Education Exchange.

a

iCHEE is a pass/fail elective course aimed at dental, medical, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, physician assistant, and public health students students addressing the healthcare needs of underserved, immigrant, and refugee populations.