What is the Clinic?

This program is a student-run clinic that is jointly organized by MSU-COM and MSU-CHM. It is open two Saturdays a month for approximately 6 hours each morning (usually 7.30a until 1.00p or sometimes 2.00p). The goal of the clinic is to provide basic healthcare to the underserved population of the Lansing area while giving first and second year medical students an opportunity to improve their clinical skills.
Unite for Sight joins us as a regular at the  Clinic. They will be providing vision and ophthalmic exams for patients at risk for diseases and conditions of the eye, while providing physician contacts and connections with other organizations for both prevention and treatment. Please access their website to volunteer.
Indigent Patient Programs (IPP) or Patient Assistance Programs (PAP)
These programs help patients who otherwise would not be able to afford medications access to the drugs they need. Many pharmaceutical companies provide such services to those who meet specific income criteria; however, paperwork must be filled out at specific intervals. By volunteering to help with the IPP/PAP, you will be helping patients directly, learning about the pharmaceutical companies, and explaining concepts regarding the programs and medications to patients.  You will be providing a valuable service in assisting them in obtaining access to programs that they and their families need.

What can I expect when I attend Clinic?

Students have the opportunity at the clinic to provide almost every facet of healthcare to the patients at the clinic. Two students (one first year, one second year) will be paired up and then assigned a patient. The students will call and lead the patient to the exam room, obtain vitals, take a history, and perform a physical. Once either a focused or full history and physical has been taken to the extent of the student's current ability, they will present the case to one of the volunteer physicians. The doctor will help guide the students to a proper diagnosis and understand the underlying issues as well as any required tests or services. The students along with the physician will then discuss the issue and proposed treatment with the patient before filling out needed paperwork, lab requests, and/or prescriptions recommended. The patient is welcome to leave while the students complete their progress note, which is reviewed by the physician.
Please see below for specific protocol information.

Do I need prior experience to attend?

No. The clinic is meant to be a place where students learn and practice their history-taking and clinical skills while providing healthcare services. Patients know that they're seeing a medical student first, so they're prepared for a longer visit and are open to the small mistakes that may be made during the learning process.

How do I sign up?

The question we at the clinic love to hear.
About once a month the Student Coordinator will send out a mass email to first- and second-year students with the available dates and some instructions. All you need to do is respond to the email as soon as you see it.
Please understand that there are only a few spots available each clinic and they need to be allocated between colleges and classes, so we may not be able to accommodate you immediately. We are continually attempting to ensure that everyone who wants to volunteer is able to, so please keep emailing and letting us know that you're interested. We'll do our best to give everyone a chance.

What should I bring with me?

You should dress professionally and wear your white coat, as you would at any clinic. Your stethoscope will be needed to provide a full exam and a reflex hammer is also very useful. If you have other equipment please feel free to bring it, although the clinic has blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes, and most other instruments you'll need.
On your first visit of each year (June or Sept), you will need to print out a copy of your immunization report from the MSU Immunization Database. Login and password are the same as for Angel and your MSU Email account. Once in the site, select "Meets CDC Report" and print. Bring this page to the Physician Coordinator when you arrive at the clinic.

Please be aware that there will be a period of time between completing your assessment of the patient and presenting to the physician. This is due to the simple fact that 8 students (4 COM and 4 CHM) will arrive at 7.30a and another 8 students at 8.30a, while two attending physicians will be volunteering. This results in a "bottleneck" at the point where the doctor takes over. Understand that this is inevitable and be patient with the Physicians Coordinators; it is an excellent opportunity to begin your progress notes and converse with your patient.
A centrally located dry-erase board is used to keep a queue organized.
When you have gathered your history and physical exam findings, let the Coordinators know and they will write your names on the board. The physicians and Coordinators will be using this information to stay organized, so please keep the Coordinators updated.
Let them know when you present to a doctor, before you release the patient so that paperwork can be reviewed, and when you require signatures.
All medical student signatures must be countersigned by licensed physicians.
It is possible to make small allowances for patients who need to leave quickly for a valid reason. If that is the case, please approach a Coordinator.

What about ______?

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Last Update - 11 April 2007