Original ArticleA Free Smoking Intervention Clinic Initiated by Medical Students
Section snippets
Initiation/Training
In October 1997, all first- and second-year medical students at Mayo Medical School (approximately 84 students) were invited to participate as counselors at the Salvation Army Free Smokers’ Clinic (SAFSC). Interested medical students attended a 2-hour training workshop on smoking intervention provided by physicians and counselors from the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center (NDC). The training was based on Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Guidelines for Smoking Intervention (Ask,
RESULTS
Baseline demographics and clinic utilization data for the 88 patients included in the study are displayed in Table 1. Of the 88 patients included in the study, 40 were lost to followup. Of the 48 contacted by telephone, 44 completed the interview, and 4 refused.
DISCUSSION
Service-learning programs for medical students provide meaningful practical experience while serving community needs. Most medical schools do not specifically educate medical students in the treatment of cigarette smokers,15, 20 and a service-learning clinic such as the SAFSC may fill the gap present in most formal medical school curricula. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe a service-learning program designed and run by medical students that delivered a comprehensive
CONCLUSIONS
The SAFSC demonstrates that a free smoking intervention clinic operated by medical students under the guidance of volunteer licensed physicians is feasible if it has proper funding, community support, and guidance. It provides a treatment resource to individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford such support. In addition, medical students who participate in such a clinic learn to assist confidently their future patients in stopping smoking using both counseling techniques and
Acknowledgments
Wae thank Richard D. Hurt, MD, and Ivana T. Croghan, PhD, for their valuable comments.
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Cited by (0)
This study was supported in part by the Mayo Foundation Clinical Research Committee. Salvation Army provided space and administrative personnel, office supplies, and some medications. Glaxo Wellcome donated some medications.
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Dr Der is now with the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif.