Collaborate

Collaboration between healthcare disciplines is essential, and countless examples show doctors working closely with other professionals. But student action has not been so well explored. Bryony Whipp looks at how medical students are collaborating with other students and professionals in programmes that are making a difference

Collaboration has become a buzzword and is often presented as a solution to problems in health and development. The following examples of student activities illustrate how collaboration with others can help us to achieve the best results with minimal harm.

Student Stop AIDS

Student Stop AIDS was launched in 2003 with the aim of “educating young people in order to mobilise their energy and commitment to stop AIDS.” The campaign was made up of a coalition of different agencies that worked with young people on the issue of HIV/AIDS. The agencies included Medsin, Student Partnership Worldwide, ActionAid, Student Action for Refugees, and People and Planet. Collective action was thought to be the most effective way of achieving a shared goal with limited resources. Furthermore, each agency brought specific knowledge and skills.

The representatives for each agency came from different backgrounds and brought specific expertise, for example, developing campaigns, working with students, designing websites and publicity materials, and fundraising.

Although the students all shared a common interest in HIV/AIDS, they were studying a range of subjects. Medical students were involved in the campaign through Medsin and brought knowledge about the HIV virus (that is, transmission, physical effects, and treatment options) and the skill of being able to deliver health messages. The other agencies involved students from a wide range of disciplines, such as economics, politics, and geography. These students had specific knowledge on the broader issues that were driving the HIV pandemic, such as poverty, debt, and gender inequality. It is acknowledged that some students have a broad understanding of the issues relating to HIV/AIDS.

There is no doubt that each of the agencies is capable of organising a campaign independently. But the Student Stop AIDS campaign is not about raising the profile of the organisations. The aim is to reach as many young people as possible and raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. This goal is compromised without collaboration.

Health promotion projects

Projects such as Sexpression and CPR in Schools play an important role in tackling health inequalities. These student led initiatives empower young people to make healthier lifestyle choices by delivering health messages in a way that is accessible and appropriate to teen culture. Medical students are ideal for such projects because our education gives credibility with parents and teachers, and being young enables us to relate to teenagers and act as role models.

Student volunteers receive training before they enter the classroom because they need information on working with young people, delivering health messages, and teaching methods. Their training is best delivered by those with the most experience, for example, nurses, paramedics, and teachers. The necessary knowledge and skills is not something gained from the undergraduate medical curriculum. Medical students may think that they know what it is like to be a teenager, but without training, they are simply not equipped to deal with discipline issues and awkward questions. Through these projects, medics contribute considerably to health promotion, but they would not be able to do so without working alongside other professionals.

International projects

Village concept projects aim to help villagers in low income countries to improve their living conditions. The projects are an opportunity for students from different countries and backgrounds to work together in the field and learn about development issues.

The projects focus on six key areas for bringing about long lasting changes to the target communities. These are water and sanitation, nutrition, access to essential medicines, vector control, and income generation. The students work with experts, such as water engineers, economists, and doctors, to find solutions that are affordable, sustainable, and appropriate to the local community.

Student volunteers undoubtedly have good intentions and are fully committed to alleviating the effects of poverty. But they do not have the expertise needed for setting up projects and working in low income countries. After all, medical education is designed to train doctors, not aid workers.

The benefits of international projects are not guaranteed. Even the supposed expert international agencies make mistakes that have long lasting effects on the poor. Before students leap into action, they should think about who will actually benefit. If they are honest with themselves, most will realise they are the ones reaping the rewards from the experience. Despite not always serving their intended purpose, international projects do have a role to play in the personal development of student volunteers. But it is essential that experts are involved at all stages to ensure no harm is done to the local communities.

Extracurricular education

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) aims “to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global issues” and organises various activities that give students opportunities to learn about issues such as trade, conflict, and the environment, which are often neglected in the medical curriculum.

The IFMSA believes that in order to work effectively as doctors in the future, medical students need to have a basic understanding of the wider influences on health and healthcare delivery. When organising lectures or workshops, the IFMSA involves experts in geography, economics, and politics. Doctors are trained to practise medicine, and even those committed to learning about international health are not experts in development. It would be arrogant to think that doctors were the best people to teach about poverty and inequality.

Many medical students are involved in extracurricular activities such as campaigns and community projects. Their contribution to society is extremely valuable and should be recognised. But students must also appreciate that their goals might not have been achieved without the support of other professionals.

Competing interests: BW was Medsin national campaign co­ordinator, 2002-3, and was involved in setting up the Student Stop AIDS coalition. She was Medsin national president, 2003-4, and worked in partnership with projects such as Sexpression and CPR in Schools. In 2004-5, she was the coordinator of Think Global, an IFMSA initiative project.

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Let’s try to work together, shall we?