RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Vhi have entered into a new partnership to study the impact of student-led community health clinics. The research will examine the outcomes for patients, students and local communities.
The StEP (Student Engagement and Partnership) Health Research Partnership will focus on RCSI’s student-led interprofessional community health clinic, which is the first-of-its-kind in Europe.
RCSI students from dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy, supported by qualified health professionals, will work together to deliver health checks and clinics in partnership with RCSI Engage and local residents and community groups in Dublin city. These free clinics provide accessible healthcare services to local communities, while enabling students to participate meaningfully in person- centered care.
Vhi is the industry partner for the research evaluation, and the study will use anonymised information from the clinics to assess outcomes and inform future models of care and education.
Access to preventative healthcare remains uneven, particularly for low- income and marginalised communities. By addressing this gap, these clinics respond directly to unmet healthcare needs, offering monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and other key health indicators in a community setting. Working collaboratively across professions and under the supervision of experienced clinicians, students gain invaluable hands-on experience in community- based care, while community partners benefit from integrated health support.
Dr Muirne Spooner, Deputy Dean of Inter-professionalism and Community Engaged Learning and academic lead of the StEP Health Research Partnership, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with
Vhi on this important research. Interprofessional student-led clinics have been shown to support learners in preparing for their work in clinical practice. We are looking forward to contributing to the understanding of the ways all stakeholders; learners, community partners, patients and faculty experience student-led clinics.”
