MedGoesTo – ANEM Portugal

Name of the activity: MedGoesTo

Country/NMO: ANEM Portugal

Program: Health Systems

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: Continuous Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Rural/community health

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

General description:

In a one-week long diversified activity, the students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto have the opportunity to travel to some of the most remote corners of Portugal, attempting to spread health related information and good habits directly to the population of these rural regions.

Problem statement:

Unfortunately, there are many regions in our country with poor access to healthcare services and this is a way we found of battling the issue. Every year, a new group of young doctors bring their joy and energy to provide the best care. This activities is avaluated as one of the best within our association as the spots for participating run out in less than 5 minutes. 

Target groups:

• General population
• Children
• Youth
• People with disabilities
• Elderly people

Beneficiaries:

• Medical students
• Children
• Youth
• People with disabilities
• Elderly people

Objectives:

Disseminate correct health information, allied to a local intervention from our participants to fight common misconceptions and promote healthier lifestyles via awareness campaigns carried out during the activity; 2,5,8,9

During the first week of september, contribute to reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, by having our participants perform glycemia and blood pressure screenings to the population, advise healthy options and promote regular check-ups with healthcare professional, if suitable; 2,4,8,9

Increase soft-skill capabilities of FMUP students that connect with a broad and diverse population, expected to happen throughout the whole activity and to be evaluated in a feedback forms, posterior to the activity; 1,3,5,7,10,11

Increase rural populations’ knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health via trainings developed by participants during the activity, posterior to a capacitation session carried out by the Organizing Committee; 3

Reduce the “white-coat” fear of the younger generations, via medical roleplay with our participants during the activity; 6

Promote health literacy in the rural regions of Portugal visited, focusing on Primary Prevention during the time of the activity, expecting a long-term effect; 2,5,8,9

Indicators:

1. Number of student participants performing screenings and risk assessments; – 50

2. Number of screenings performed to the population of the rural region visited during the entirety of the activity, by age group; – 500

3. Number of student participants enrolled in health education development trainings; – 50

4. Number and role (i.e. caretaker, family member…) of trainees covered by the trainings performed by student participants; – 50

5. Number of student participants performing specific population trainings; – 50

6. Number of children involved in medical roleplays; – 200

7. Number of student participants involved in medical roleplays; – 50

8. Number of citizens with uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors, or unaware of; – 50

9. Number of home-visits performed in total; – 50

10. Number of student participants enrolled in home-visits; – 50

11. Participant satisfaction assessments posterior to the activity, indicating success when a bullet point is greater than average;

Methodology:

This activity is planned by our Volunteering, Public Health and Community Action Department, and prepared months before, with the assistance of a selected Organizing Committee, whose members are divided into departments, in order to carry out Fundraising, Logistics and other important actions. We have stable financial support to fill out any blanks that aren’t covered by our fundraising.

This activity is guided by one of our sustainability guidelines, to reduce waste, reuse as much as possible and recycle during the whole week. In economic terms, participating students are required to pay a fee to participate in this activity, covering some of the costs. 

The participants are divided into groups with two teamleaders each, carrying out the roadmap that is assigned for each team. Every day has a defined set of actions, from visiting elderly in their homes, to stand in front of a local market performing screenings.

Plans for evaluation:

Since the participating students are divided in various groups, they will be informed to keep track of some informations, such as how many screenings are performed, how many homes were visited in total, how many daycare centers and other institutions’ staff were capacitated to perform basic life support, and other data, namely the amount of children involved in a medical roleplay.

To evaluate different aspects, the submission of an evaluation forms is required. With this, we acquire feedback using an objective scale. We can also understand the population’s common practices (the before) by asking lifestyle questions, asking directly or indirectly if they are diagnosed with any condition (cardiovascular or other), if they access healthcare services frequently for follow-ups. Acquiring information about risk factors and other habits could also serve a purpose.

External collaborations:

Collaboration with local Town Hall for logistical purposes; Fundraising contacts to multiple brands for food and other essential resources (i.e. Nestlé, Compal, Serdial Vending, Origens Bio, Kids Natural, Gullon, Delta, Redbull, Maçã BemBoa, Unifardas) as well as financial support from National Banks and Insurance Companies. We fortunately have a large and stable sponsorships database, which we contact yearly for this activity, and maintain as partnerships for other activities as well.