Option 1: Near the time of discharge, sit down with one of your patients who will need treatment even after leaving the hospital and ask them to describe their hospital experience (what their understanding is of their diagnosis and the treatments received), how they will cope at home, what resources they will use, etc. This will be most enlightening if you choose patients with limited resources who still require many medications and/or services rather than an educated, resource rich patient with a self-limited problem. Some students have conducted this like an interview using the format of the discharge summary to guide their questions, while others have had a less structured conversation.
Evaluation criteria- Any attempt to try this will result in automatic half credit. For full credit there must be some evidence of reflection of what was learned and how it affected your education.
Option 2: Visit a patient you followed at their home or rehab to assess how they are doing and whether any barriers developed to hinder their recovery. (Please do not travel alone unless you are familiar with the location and know it to be safe. If you have any doubts about the safety, then do not select this option.)
Evaluation criteria- Any attempt to try this will result in automatic half credit. For full credit there must be some evidence of reflection of what was learned and how it affected your education.
Option 3: If you have the opportunity to advocate for an underserved patient to get necessary resources, write about this. For example you may discover a patient qualifies for a discount drug plan and you help enroll them.
Evaluation criteria: Describe how you learned about the need and what programs or resources you were able to find, and how you helped the patient. You do not have to have ultimate success to receive “credit” for trying as whether the patient ultimately qualifies for these programs is out of your hands.
Option 4: Whatever creative idea you may have of your own.
