Interprofessional Student-Run Primary CARE Clinic
Contact Person:
Dr. Jessy El Hayek
Scientific Steering Committee Members:
Ms. Maya Abou Jaoude
Ms. Samar Merhi
Researcher:
Dr. Crystal Ghantous
Funded by:
Erasmus+ - European Commission
Duration:
January 2021 – January 2024
Grant Holder:
Dr. Mosad Zineldin, Professor in the Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
Project Partners:
1. Genoa University, Italy
2. European Centre of Studies and Initiatives, Italy
3. Technical University of Crete, Greece
4. Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia (Taltech)
5. The Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, Austria
6. Notre Dame University Louaize (NDU), Lebanon
7. Lebanese University, Lebanon
8. Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
9. Modern University for Business and Sciences, Lebanon
10. October 6 University, Egypt
11. Al-Azhar University, Egypt
12. University of Sinai, Egypt
13. Assiut University, Egypt
14. The International for Applied Sciences & Technology, Egypt
15. October 6 University Hospital, Egypt
16. Helwan University, Egypt
17. Badr University, Egypt
18. The British University, Egypt
19. ICC Hospital, Egypt
20. German Hospital, Egypt
21. Sibline Governmental Hospital, Lebanon
22. Academic Center for Research and Consultancy, Sweden
Project Description:
ICARE will establish a supervised student-led clinic at NDU. Student-led free primary care clinics in the US, Canada, Australia, and European countries have proven to improve the overall health and well-being of the community as well as provide an invaluable and sustainable link between students, health care professionals, community-based organizations, the university, and the community supported by technology. The clinic will provide the community with a health care service facility that meets patient needs and health sciences students with an in-house training venue.
The clinic will offer minimal cost primary health care and educational and social services to underprivileged individuals as well as NDU students, employees, family members, and patients who seek or benefit from lifestyle medicine. Using a collaborative inter-professional approach, the ICARE clinic will integrate innovative education, research, and the health care sector.
Interprofessional Student-Run Primary Care (ICARE) Clinic - Lifestyle Medicine Clinic
Mission
The mission of ICARE, a supervised student-led clinic within NDU, is to provide low-cost healthcare, educational, and social services to underprivileged individuals, the NDU community, and patients seeking or benefiting from lifestyle medicine. The clinic aims to combat the increasing burden of chronic diseases, promote preventive care, and address gaps in healthcare services related to lifestyle interventions. ICARE adopts a collaborative, inter-professional approach encompassing nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, and smoking cessation. Additionally, the clinic offers students the opportunity to receive hands-on training in lifestyle medicine alongside their academic coursework, while also contributing to research and evidence-based practice. Ultimately, ICARE empowers individuals to manage their health through evidence-based lifestyle changes, provides students with practical experience in lifestyle medicine, and contributes to advancements in research and evidence-based practice in the field.
Vision
The vision of the ICARE clinic is to:
- Establish a supervised student-led clinic providing low-cost primary healthcare, educational, and social services to underprivileged individuals, NDU students, employees, and their families, as well as patients interested in lifestyle medicine.
- Engage students from diverse healthcare disciplines, including nursing, nutrition, medical laboratory technology, psychology, and physical education.
- Enhance the health of individuals through lifestyle medicine pillars: nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep quality, social connections, and avoidance/management of harmful substances.
- Foster overall well-being and prevent chronic diseases through lifestyle medicine approaches.
- Offer consultations, assessments, diagnoses, interventions, educational sessions, and follow-ups to encourage positive lifestyle changes and manage chronic diseases using non-pharmacological interventions.
- Promote evidence-based practical training for students alongside their academic studies.
- Empower students to advocate for preventive care, equip them with skills to address root causes of diseases, and nurture them as future leaders in promoting healthier lifestyles within their communities.
- Enhance students' research skills through involvement in data collection and analysis, thus contributing to the expanding body of evidence and effective delivery of lifestyle interventions.
- Serve individuals with limited access to healthcare services, including underserved communities or those with scarce resources.
Sustainability Plan
1. Diversify funding sources by pursuing projects and grants in collaboration with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and industry partners, alongside seeking independent funding opportunities.
2. Transition to paperless operations by emphasizing and training staff in digital documentation and electronic medical record-keeping.
3. Implement energy-efficient practices to decrease overall energy consumption, such as utilizing energy-saving equipment and encouraging staff to adopt energy-conserving habits.
4. Engage in professional development endeavors and offer paid services to external groups or the community, ranging from training sessions and workshops to consultations.
5. Foster partnerships with healthcare and technology firms in the private sector, potentially through joint projects, sponsored research, or resource sharing. These collaborations aim to provide financial backing and facilitate knowledge exchange among partners.