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REHPS...... a four week summer program that places two students from different health professions together in a rural healthcare system for a holistic view of what it is like to work and live in a rural community. Page 2
OUR GOALS: To increase the number of clinical psychology, certified nurse practitioner, medical laboratory science, physician, physician assistant, pharmacy and social work students who have a positive experience in rural and frontier communities of South Dakota To promote interprofessional learning Page 3
Program Overview Students from 2 professions live in community for 4 weeks Housing and Meals provided by hospital/community Students provided with $4000 stipend Experience start dates from May 18 th through July 6 th Facilities provide a comprehensive look at rural healthcare Students submit weekly blogs about experience Check out our website: www.rehps.org to see past examples Students do a Community Project Community Wellness Coalition work Students do a presentation on experience during final week Staff and community members may be invited Page 4
Potential Experiences (Not a focused clinical experience but a holistic view of rural medicine) Pharmacy Hospital Retail Cardiac Rehab Leadership Workshop Outreach Clinics Telemedicine Visiting Specialists Behavioral Health Risk Management Dentistry Home Health Administrative Services Physical Therapy Radiology Occupational Therapy Laboratory Services Surgeries Colonoscopies Rounds & Clinic with Doctors Long Term Care Health Information Infection Control Wellness Chiropractic Vision Clinics Page 5
2015 Committed Sites Bowdle* Custer** Hot Springs Miller** Parkston**** Philip** Platte** Redfield**** *Stars indicate past years of participation (Wessington Springs participated first 3 years) Sisseton** Wagner*** Webster* Winner*** Today is x-ray day. It s great that they have allowed us to see all aspects of the hospital. I am able to sit in on an ultrasound of the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. The tech explains each level and shows me the different slices and views. Rebecka Bogue (right) USD Medical Student REHPS 2013 Page 6
Student Selection Process 2 students per site = 30 students for 2016 Application process Letter of recommendation REHPS application Resume or CV Essay Page 7
Timeline Feb 1st 2015: Mar 30th: April 30th: March 2016: May/June: 2016 PA Student applications open Application deadline Selections Announced Orientation in Yankton Start Summer Experience Page 8
Hands On Experience The most memorable and emotionally-challenging case involved a toddler who had sustained significant trauma and had to be transferred to a larger facility via Life-Flight. Perhaps the most difficult aspect was trying to comfort the family members who were in shock, while maintaining a professional, composed demeanor. Following that case, I was able to observe the repair of a thumb and nail which had been lacerated. Providers in rural practice do not just see patients but also perform any necessary procedures within their scope of practice since they do not have the luxury of routinely referring patients to specialists. I find the ability to do and not just see rather appealing about rural medicine. Amanda Niemann, PA student REHPS 2013: Custer Hometown: Foley, MN Page 9
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Interprofessional Partners As people start living longer, pharmacists and doctors that have knowledge in geriatrics will be in high demand. These small communities will also have a very high ratio of elderly patients that will need lots of care. My partner Randall and I are quickly learning that we will definitely be working together as a team in our future careers as people start living longer and as medication regimens get more complicated. Brittany Williams PharmD 2016 REHPS 2014: Redfield Hometown: Madison Page 11
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Community I feel that in order to be a successful healthcare clinician, having a working knowledge of what concerns the community can aide in providing appropriate medical care. This is why I prefer to work in rural communities. I can take the time to get to know my patients and understand what concerns they may have. Healthcare is not just treating the patient and their current ailment. I believe that a holistic approach is important to the overall care of the patient and rural communities provide the perfect setting to provide such care. Merritt Groh PA student REHPS 2013 Hometown: Vermillion Page 13
Active Rural Lives This weekend was Philips festival days. We started off the weekend at the rodeo and street dance. One of the hospital employees sat with us and told us about scoring, bronco riding, and the participants who have been around and done well at current tournaments. Saturday we started off the day at the parade, went to the local dinner, and the demolition derby that afternoon. It was my first demolition derby and wow was I surprised how many people showed up and got involved. Sunday we are invited to ride horse and help move cattle. I loved it! Ashley Pederson PharmD 2016 REHPS 2014: Custer Hometown: Twins Brooks Brittany Garner PA 2014 REHPS 2014: Philip Hometown: Rapid City After the cave, we decided to hike to Little Devil s Tower and attempt to find Poet s Table. After a couple mishaps, we found it! It was an amazing view and intriguing to read through the journals and passages left up there, and we even left a couple messages of our own. Page 14
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Overall Experience Overall, the REHPS program was a great experience for me. I enjoyed seeing what other healthcare professionals do on a day to day basis. It was also nice to gain insight to the full picture of what goes on prior to a patient filling a prescription. I learned much from the PA student during my time in Philip. I also thought it was helpful to show Brittany what the role of a pharmacist is across different settings. Amanda Nelson PharmD 2016 REHPS 2014: Philip Hometown: Clark Page 17
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Cheri Buffington REHPS Program Manager Yankton Rural AHEC 1000 W 4 th St Suite 5 Yankton, SD 57078 cbuffington@avera.org 605-655-1400 Visit our website: www.rehps.org Page 19