Health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

 World Health Organization

The community medicine track of the internal medicine residency program at Baystate Medical Center is based on a philosophy that the traditional medical model must be considered in the contexts of social and political awareness, public health, and community-based work. The goals of the community medicine track are to provide the skills, knowledge, and perspective required for health care providers to understand, evaluate, and effectively address the health needs of any community. This educational experience is offered as a focused track within the categorical internal medicine residency program.

Participation in the track involves continuity clinic at Brightwood Health Center in Springfield, as well as two months per year throughout residency dedicated to the study and practice of community medicine. One of the months is primarily focused on outpatient clinical skills, while the other focuses on social issues in health care and academic issues in pubic health. The clinical and academic experience includes:

• Primary care at Brightwood Health Center

• Primary care at the Hampden County Correctional Center

• Home visits to clinic patients

• Home visits to AIDS patients with their Nurse Case Managers

• Home visits to hospice patients

• Participation in an interdisciplinary team providing health care and advocacy to migrant farm workers

• Work at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinic

• Opportunities for research in community medicine with full program support

• Curriculum of articles and selected readings with weekly discussion group.

In addition to clinical skills, one of the months offers the following:

• Opportunities to work with community activists in Springfield

• Weekly seminars and round table discussions ranging from anthropology and social science to the politics and economics of health care; globalization, international community health, community outreach and advocacy, and current issues of interest to the group.

  
  

A spirit of activism infuses the community medicine track. Each resident receives guidance and supervision from attending physicians, community leaders, and public health professionals in a supportive environment which fosters personal and professional growth.

Director of Community Medicine Track

Dorothea Von Goeler, MD