Q. Do I have to have a chronic illness to participate?
A. Yes. We're looking for individuals who have a chronic illness or medical
condition that has a major impact on their daily life and who are willing and
able to discuss their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with beginning medical
students.
Q. What's my commitment to the program?
A. We are looking for a commitment of two years. While this seems like a long
time, in reality you will meet no more than three times each year.
Q. Will I
be compensated for my time?
A. Our volunteer families are not paid, but receive satisfaction from influencing
the training of tomorrow’s doctors in a deep and meaningful way. At the
beginning of the program, we hold a formal reception to thank the volunteers
and their families.
Q. Do I have to have a traditional family
to qualify for the program?
A. No. The term “family” in the Family Centered Experience is very
broadly defined as a group of people on whom one depends for emotional or other
support. We also believe that we can learn as much from people without support
systems as from people with them. The FCE Program is deeply committed to diversity
among the volunteers who teach our students. We can all learn from the diversity
of voices and experiences that come from our community.
Q. Will the students
live with me?
A. No. A visit can be as simple as an afternoon or evening meeting, arranged
according to your and your students’ convenience.
Q. When the students
are in my home, do I need to serve them refreshments or dinner?
A. No. Your willingness to talk to your students about deeply personal things
is a gift enough. Some families invite students to share a meal; however, you
are under absolutely no obligation to do so. It's entirely up to you.
Q. Can
the students give me or my family medical care?
A. No. These students are in the very early training stages. While they can
take medical and social profiles and discuss health care issues with you, they
are not yet qualified to provide any medical advice or medical care.
Q. Will
you need to see my medical records?
A. If you are a patient at the U-M Health System, the FCE office may review
your medical records with your permission to determine suitability for the
program or to update contact information. Students will not have access to
your medical records. After all, we want the story to come from you.
Q. How
will the students use confidential information?
A. The students will discuss their thoughts and insights about what they’ve
heard from you in small groups led by a skilled clinician-instructor. Great
efforts are made to preserve confidentiality, within and outside of the small
groups. In fact, understanding the importance of confidentiality related to
medical care is one of our primary goals for medical students.
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