Establishing interprofessional clinical learning experiences in primary care safety-net sites

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper describes an interprofessional clinical learning experience for students within two primary care safety-net sites. An interprofessional team of faculty at one university partnered with two safety-net systems to provide students opportunities to work in an interprofessional team providing care for socially and medically complex patients. Our evaluation outcomes are student-centered, focusing on students’ perceptions of caring for medically underserved populations and satisfaction with the clinical experience. Students reported positive perceptions of the interprofessional team, clinical experience, primary care, and caring for underserved populations. Strategic development of partnerships between academic and safety-net systems to offer learning opportunities can increase future healthcare providers’ exposure and appreciation for interprofessional care of underserved populations.