"Road to Empathy": A qualitative exploratory study of trainee experiences on a mobile health clinic
So, Marvin; Crosby, Anne D.; Eligene, Lunecee; Bennet, Jennifer; Williams, Mollie; Oriol, Nancy E.
Why this matters
Student-run programs depend on volunteers, and the educational value of the experience affects recruitment and continuity. A qualitative analysis of more than 100 trainees on a mobile health clinic found they moved from apprehension to competence and reported stronger empathy for people unlike themselves.
Abstract
Mobile health clinics often deliver care in medically underserved communities and train student volunteers to support service delivery. The authors conducted a qualitative analysis of over 100 trainees' experiences volunteering with a mobile health clinic. Trainees learned how to deliver compassionate, non-judgmental health care. They developed competencies necessary to deliver effective, understandable, and respectful care. Their understanding of the health care system and patient-provider relationships deepened, and they expressed stronger empathy for people different from themselves. Over time, trainees progressed from initial apprehension towards confidence and competence, mediated by practice and staff expertise.