WCU medical school hosts Poverty Simulation
The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted a large-scale Interprofessional Poverty Simulation workshop Oct. 29 at Wiggins Medical Needs Shelter for health care students from WCU and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Modeled on a program originated by the Missouri Community Action Network, the poverty simulation was designed to make students in health care-related fields more aware of the problems, questions and issues that can arise when serving people living in poverty. During the exercise, students played the roles of people dealing with poverty in their day-to-day lives.
“It gives them the opportunity to get out of the classroom, get out from behind the computer and interact with other people," said Dr. James Turner, dean of the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
"It gives them the opportunity to really appreciate patients with economic and social challenges.”
Students from these William Carey University programs participated: Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Physical Therapy. USM health care and social work students also participated.
WCU and USM plan to make the Interprofessional Poverty Simulation an annual event.