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TEMPLATE DESIGN © 2008 www.PosterPresentations.com Bridging Gaps in Refugee Health through the Refugee Resettlement Practicum Ashleigh Montgomery 1 , Ute Maschke, PhD 2 , & Kate Murray, PhD,MPH 1 1. Dept of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego 2. Refugee Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego BACKGROUND COURSE DETAILS IMPLEMENTATION OUTCOMES OUTCOMES CONTACT INFORMATION Kate E. Murray, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor, UC San Diego email: [email protected] To learn more about the practicum and other projects, visit: http://www.tinyurl.com/refugeehealth A practicum course was developed to focus on public health interventions in collaboration with local refugee resettlement agencies. The goals for the class were to strengthen ties between UC San Diego and local resettlement organizations to address refugee communities’ most pressing public health needs collaboratively. It also coincided with the launch of a new undergraduate public health major and a desire to establish more public health opportunities within the San Diego community. The practicum allowed for the university and local resettlement agencies to collaborate in developing a sustainable program and structure for addressing refugee public health needs. This practicum provides a template for other universities to build collaborations with community organizations and refugee populations to address the constantly changing public health needs of newly arriving refugee cohorts. Developing additional, long-term collaborations that continue after the practicum serve as an ideal next step. Course Topics Introduction to refugee resettlement Program planning Conducting a needs assessment Program implementation strategies Evaluation principles Cross-cultural principles Sustainability of public health programs The practicum was a 4-unit course that emphasized experiential learning and included: • 2 hours per week of lecture • 10 hours per week experiential learning • Guest lecturers • A tour of a local resettlement agency • Ongoing contact with community leaders and organizations • Required readings and videos on • Refugee topics • Cross-cultural health • Personal narratives by local refugee community members • Personal reflection assignments Students worked in small groups to: • Identify a local target refugee community and public health concern • Conduct a needs assessment, including: • A literature review • Conducting and writing a report on a Key Informant Interview • Develop a community profile of major health concerns based on their needs assessment • Detail existing resources to be utilized by local refugee-serving organizations Final outcomes for the groups included: • A Logic Model • A culturally adapted public health resource • An evaluation and sustainability plan for their program *Throughout the course, students presented their ideas and materials to local experts and community members for feedback and refinement. Resources developed within the class included: • A cookbook (in English and Arabic) focusing on tips for healthy eating while emphasizing cultural foods • A pamphlet and wellness guide on mental health • A handout on warning signs and consequences of substance abuse • Design and implement a public health intervention ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This practicum was sponsored by Sixth College at UC San Diego and supported by Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, Refugee Services. Other community partners included: • Family and Preventive Medicine, UC San Diego • Karen Organization • Alliance Health Clinic • Institute for Public Health, SDSU DISCUSSION Sustainability Plan Since the conclusion of the practicum, students have participated as panelists in showing a documentary about refugees in Uganda. Students helped to organize the event and promoted opportunities to get involved in local refugee programs. Students have also partnered with a local organization that serves Burmese refugees, to conduct a workshop with a community expert surrounding substance abuse.
