Eight first-year medical students from the University of the Witwatersrand gained hands-on experience at Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) during September and October.
The students, who are studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) degree, visited the centre as part of a community-based project required for one of their courses.
Leanie Bessinger, nursing services manager at RSCC, explains that the course includes community-based learning activities, healthcare professional shadowing and patient follow-ups.
“The project focuses on experiential learning through service and data collection in collaboration with community-based and not-for-profit organisations,” says Leanie.
“Students are divided into 25 groups, and each group must make four site visits.”
The course aims to develop socially conscious health advocates by teaching students to analyse health challenges, identify social determinants of health, apply effective communication and understand primary healthcare through a community-oriented approach.
The project has two main components:
Service activities such as kitchen duty, administrative support and assisting with daily tasks.
Data collection, including community mapping, surveys and diagnosis, culminating in a detailed report and presentation.
The four-day project structure includes:
Day 1: Preparation and training, understanding community needs and learning survey tools.
Day 2: Initial data collection through surveys, interviews and analysis.
Day 3: Data analysis and review, with a focus on teamwork and critical thinking.
Day 4: Reporting and feedback, including presenting findings and recommendations to the host organisation and community stakeholders.
“Partnering with Wits on this initiative is mutually rewarding,” says Leanie. “Our residents enjoy interacting with the students, and the students, in turn, learn about the realities and rewards of working in long-term care. It’s a wonderful example of how community-based learning benefits everyone involved.”
