Another point where I'd like to get a head start on our semester. For our community clinical, we're being sent out in a staggered schedule. The semester is being broken up into 4 chunks, with each student being in their community assignment for] 1 of the chunks. I'm one of the lucky ones who is heading out with the first group.

While we're in our community section (3 weeks or 6 days), we have a teaching project to do.

This is their description of that project:

]During the first week of the population-based experience the student will assess learning needs among the target population and collaborate with agency staff and the clinical instructor to determine a primary prevention teaching activity aimed at promoting the health of the target population. During the rotation the student will present the teaching activity at the community agency.

]

I'm going to be in a pediatric office for my community time. Any thoughts or ideas on some possible topics I can start looking into now to get a little ahead of the game?

In the first 3 weeks of class, we have 40 hours of lecture, 2 tests, a rough draft due for our paper, and I'll have this teaching project, on top of our regular coursework (online discussions, submissions, journals, evaluations, etc.)... hence the wanting to try and get a bit of head start. (not to mention the other 2 classes I'm taking and my part-time job)

Suggestions won't amount to much since you will need to listen to what the nurses and others at the location along with your clinical instructor indicate to you what is needed.

however:

diet and obesity

diet and exercise

are just two that are ALWAYS needed in a community teaching project. Please keep in mind the cultural background of the community you are trying to reach!

Good luck!

jenna

If it's anything like my community health class, you do an assessment on the population first to determine what needs there are. How do you know what to teach unless you know what problems they have?

I would suggest beginning to look at common health issues that bring people to a pediatrician's office. You're talking about early fall, I assume, so there is a plethora of possibilities. Think of the germs that get shared when kids get back into classrooms in the fall. You could look at flu immunizations, hand washing, importance of balanced diet, importance of exercise and time spent playing outdoors, getting sufficient sleep, etc. Or, as someone else mentioned, diet and exercise to prevent or treat diabetes and other health problems. Depending on the area where you are doing your project you may also want to consider teaching the importance of good dental hygiene. And, finding ways for your target population to obtain the kinds of care and support they need may also be an issue.

Good luck. I doubt that you'll have any problems deciding on a project -- rather you may need to be careful that you don't try to do more than what you can accomplish in the time you have for the assignment. :)