Family Faculty Institute - Can You Teach?

"We had a wonderful visit. We shared our family story with her, we chatted during dinner and mostly had fun - our lives have been enriched by her visit. Mostly we want medical students to see us as a family - a family that has faced medical challenges and is doing well."

Sixteen years ago, Parent to Parent, created the Medical Education Project with help from two local pediatricians: David Stifler and Don Swartz. Partly because of the success of that program, other programs have begun in conjunction with UVM and the School of Medicine and Dartmouth Medical School. While each of the programs is unique, they all share a common piece - students spending time with families, in their homes, gaining a family perspective on health, disability, and the typical family life that ensues.

Just as these families are the best teachers of Family-Centered Care for students, we think you can best get a flavor for these programs by hearing what the students and families have to say about them.

Valerie Wood-Lewis says, after a visit with a Medical Student, "Rather than being 'one more thing' in a packed schedule, I really enjoy talking about our experience with someone who wants to hear and wants to have it impact their practice." And Donna Marcotte says of the same program, "We had a wonderful visit. We shared our family story with her, we chatted during dinner and mostly had fun - our lives have been enriched by her visit. Mostly we want medical students to see us as a family - a family that has faced medical challenges and is doing well."

A couple of students from the Medical Education Project write: "It is hard to imagine this child in a better situation. His parents seem to have left no stone unturned. They enjoy his achievements, continuously try to correct his mistakes and worry about his future. Their greatest strength is the love they have for their child." AND "As a physician it is essential to understand what a family goes through when they return to their home, after receiving the diagnosis of a serious disease. As they shut the door, and the dust settles, what will they feel like? How will their lives change? The physician can help the family by understanding what they will be going through, and sharing tactics that have worked for others in similar situations. I saw the positive impact that balancing serious struggle with a sense of humor could do for the mental health of an ill child and their family. I also learned there is no substitute for love and support from family members during a crisis. As much as physicians can help, the family that can stick together and be there for each other will benefit immensely."

Kathy Hubbard, who participates in the FIRST program, a program which matches all pediatric residents with families for a 3-year experience, says, "Our medical resident, Katie, was able to attend our appointment in Boston in February. Our daughter, Elizabeth, had an appointment with her neurofibromatosis specialist. Katie asked if we would let her be an observer for Elizabeth's appointment, which was fine with us. She was able to ask questions of the doctor and the genetic counselor as well as see firsthand how one of Elizabeth's doctors interacts with her and us. We took her along with us, in part because she asked! We felt it would be a learning experience for her and for Elizabeth. Liz was so happy to have someone there to spend time with her. They were able to take a break from us at the Rockingham Mall in Salem HN, where they shopped and did 'girl things.' Katie was able to talk with Liz and get her feelings on everything she has been going through, as well as her thoughts and fears for the future. For us as parents, it didn't seem like a 'big deal.' But Katie was thrilled to have the opportunity to see an example of how a physician should treat children and families. Katie will be a wonderful doctor!!"

Trainees and Fellows in the UVM Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Professionals (ILEHP) training program visit families informally, attend some meetings and appointments, as well as offer some respite hours. One parent, Lori Uerz said, "The respite was like a 'get out of jail free' card." And another parent, Deb Brady says, "We have enjoyed the time we have spent with him and our children have especially liked the personal attention he gives to each of them. It has been nice having him join us for a variety of experiences that allow us to share with him the ways in which a child's special need(s) might im-pact a family at any given point in time."

As you can see, these are wonderful opportunities for both families and students. We are conscious of trying to set up processes which benefit both parties, always putting more responsibility for accomplishing goals on the student. We offer orientation and training to parents who wish to get involved in our "Family Faculty", as well as follow-up support in a number of ways.

Give us (764-5290) a call if you would be interested in participating in one of these, or some other similar programs. Let us know if there are ways we could support you in participating. ©

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