NEWSLETTER

Stephen Smith
Clearfield, UT
Chemistry
Leadership Engagement Track

4 Corners Job Shadowing Experience: An RHS Cultural Immersion Trip

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My EDGE project was centered around learning about how healthcare, specifically dentistry, operates in both rural and underserved locations and populations. To learn about rural healthcare, I attended a week-long, Rural Health Scholars (RHS) Cultural Immersion Trip to the 4 corners area of Utah with 11 other pre-health students from both SUU and DSU. During our week in the 4 corners area, we received training that is required of any health professional regarding costumer service and privacy training for patients and their information as explained by HIPPA. We had opportunities to interview leadership of the community-based healthcare organization Utah Navajo Health Services (UNHS) what it takes to run such an organization, and specifically the struggles associated. We learned of the possibilities that we have as future healthcare providers to work in a community-based clinic and the benefits associated with that line of work.

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Apart from the group, the remainder of my time in the 4 corners area was spent job shadowing 4 different dentists working in UNHS clinics in Montezuma Creek, Monument Valley, and Monticello, Utah. I personally saw the struggles associated with practicing dentistry in a rural setting among an underserved population. I learned of the lack of health maintenance among said population and how rural healthcare needs to change to in the future. In addition to these experiences, our trip was also focused on learning about the local Navajo culture. We visited Navajo historical sites and met with natives to learn more about a culture that was foreign to us.

The reason I chose to attend an RHS Cultural Immersion trip is because I want to pursue a career in dentistry, specifically Maxillofacial Oral Surgery. To help prepare me to be a well-rounded dental professional, I wanted to learn more about the accessibility to healthcare, both financially and physically, in rural settings. The accessibility to healthcare is a current major issue that needs solving. By experiencing this for myself, I hoped to gain insight into how accessibility can be changed. This insight would prepare me for a future where I could be a leader within healthcare advocating for those who are underserved.

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The major challenges I faced from this project seemed to revolve around communication. Initially, our contact with UNHS had been limited or non-existent to the point where when we showed up to shadow and work with the different clinics, they weren’t aware of us coming and weren’t prepared to receive us. This led to our trip plans and schedule being planned last second causing unnecessary stress. The other challenge associated with communication was a lack thereof on my part, as I didn’t acquire sooner from the RHS staff the specifics of an immunization and had to scramble at the last second before the trip to obtain a necessary immunization. Both of these issues could have been resolved through careful communication with those in charge and would have reduced last-minute stress and confusion.

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As I was shadowing, my lack of training prevented me from diagnosing, and treating the patients in the UNHS clinics. Despite these shortcomings, I was able to make a difference in the experience of each patient the dentist and I attended to. As the patient first sat down, I was able to communicate with them, get to know them, and welcome them there. As we talked before the dentist arrived, I could tell that our conversation brought a calming feeling to the patient, making their appointment more enjoyable. Perhaps it seems like an insignificant benefit, but hopefully having a pleasant experience will encourage them to come back to seek treatment.

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I personally benefited from this trip as it gave me great insight into the struggles and also positives of healthcare in underserved locations. I was also able to learn more about another culture and especially how to be sensitive to the cultural beliefs of others. This skill will greatly influence my interaction with future patients of my own. Overall, this experience helped me to become a well-rounded dental applicant. Because of this project and my experiences, I was accepted into dental school and will start Fall 2019. Without this experience, who knows if I would have made it.