Abstract
Dr. Dana Vackova, Principal Lecturer, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
Prof. Wendy Lam, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
Background
Hong Kong’s aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases underscore the crucial importance of effective primary healthcare that provides accessible, comprehensive, and continuous care addressing the diverse needs of the community. To ensure future healthcare professionals are well-equipped, the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong offers an Interprofessional Program, Patient Care Project (PCP), which emphasizes experiential learning, empathy training and partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and District Health Centres(DHCs). This program is essential in cultivating well-rounded, patient-centered primary care providers capable of managing complex health needs within diverse community settings
Methods
Undergraduate students (MBBS, BPharm, BChinMed) (N=570) were randomly assigned to small-group collaborations (5 students per group) with local NGOs or DHCs. Each small group recruited one patient living with a chronic condition, and conducted in-depth interviews assessing patients’ health needs. Furthermore, students participated in site orientation sessions with NGOs or DHCs to enhance their understanding of community resources. Drawing upon their communications with clients, NGOs and DHCs, each small group developed personalized self-care management plan tailored to the individual health needs and designed health promotion and prevention strategies to improve population health. Data on interprofessional and empathetic communication were collected using a questionnaire and focus group with undergraduate students.
Results
Participation in the PCP program has provided evidence that experiential, community-based learning significantly enhances students’ empathic communication skills. Approximately 75% of students successfully established strong rapport and trustworthy relationship with their clients. Moreover, 76% of students expressed agreement that their confidence in identifying and discussing clients’ utilization of community resources, using empathic communication techniques, was significantly improved. These findings suggested that the PCP effectively fostered the development of students’ interprofessional communication skills, increased their awareness of community resources, and their ability to deliver patient-centered care in complex primary healthcare contexts.
Conclusion
Participation in the PCP has yielded substantial educational benefits. Firstly, students recognized the vital role of empathy in strengthening healthcare provision and enhancing clinical outcomes through patients interviews and community observations. Secondly, the PCP provided a valuable platform for developing empathic communication skills, fostering awareness of community resources, and promoting health literacy. These competences were essential in preparing future healthcare professionals to address the complex needs of aging and chronically ill populations.
Take-home message
The PCP program exemplifies how experiential, community-engaged learning can cultivate empathy, enhance understanding of primary healthcare systems, and positively influence patient care and population health outcomes.