Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Homeless Health Immersion Experience (HHIE)

Partnered with Boston Health Care for the Homeless

Mission Statement: The Homeless Health Immersion Experience aims to educate a generation of future doctors in the unique challenges of medical care for the homeless population through a hands-on service-learning experience. Participants will have the opportunity to delve deeper into social history, barriers to health care, and the socioeconomic determinants of health during clinical interviews with homeless patients once a month at the Barbara McInnis respite house and outpatient care center of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless building.

What students can expect: Once a month, students are given the opportunity to conduct full clinical interviews and examinations. Students are encouraged to ask a specialized social history in order to fully explore the barriers to health care and the unique social situation that each individual experiences. Each session is followed by a round table discussion of the socioeconomic determinants of health, available resources for disadvantaged persons, the pathway that may have led the patients to their current state, and the best means for the delivery of care to the patients in their current situations. this is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of these individuals!

As we seek to provide a background and forum for discussing health issues of homeless individuals, students will attend a lecture series as part of the elective. Topics discussed will vary and will address how different health issues (Hepatitis C, smoking, etc.) relate to the homeless population in particular.

Group Email: homelessimmersion@gmail.com