In
1935 the same year the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara was
founded, the School of Medicine created the first Medical Brigade
to bring medical care to rural and suburban areas in the State
of Jalisco.
Twenty years
later, the UAG initiated an informal community practice to help
the medically underserved in the community.
In 1973,
the Curriculum Committee of the UAG School of Medicine incorporated
this Program into its curriculum as part of a broader plan called Education in the Community.
Mission
To reinforce
medical education in the environment where diseases are generated,
by reinforcing clinical reasoning, by applying appropriate solutions
to community health problems, and by promoting humanitarian practice
of medicine.
P.M.C.
Outpatient Centers
Students
undertake rotations in one or more of the following:
15 Integrated Community Health Centers (INTECOS)
1 Medical Brigade for Rural Areas
5 Affiliated Ambulatory Care Centers
10 Medical Emergency Units in the Jalisco Red Cross
2 Mobile Unit
Student
Participation
Students have two years of community medicine practice in groups of no more than eight students.
Student
Activities in Health Care
More than
40 structured activities for active learning.
Student
Activities in Health Promotion
Community
talks, permanent and national vaccination programs, pap smears,
early diagnosis, limitation of injury, rehabilitation, epidemiological
study, morbidity information and basic epidemiological research
activities, training of health promoters.
Evaluation
Students are supervised and evaluated daily on a quantitative and qualitative basis according to a based-Certification Process of Four levels on clinical skills, physical examination, communication, and writing of the clinical history.
Conclusion
After 30
years the P.M.C. offers substantial real-life opportunities to
apply knowledge to learn Mexican Culture, and to improve the overall
health of the communities in which the program operates.
Background
Student
Participation