Q1. 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 are willing
and able to discuss their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with
beginning medical students.
Q2. What's my commitment to the program?
A. There are four (4) visits in the first year and two (2) in the second year.
Most visits take place in your home and last approximately 1-2 hours. FCE students
have a six-week window to find a time that works with both your schedules for
one visit. We are looking for a commitment of two years so that students can
follow a volunteer through all required visits.
Q3. Will I
be compensated for my time?
A. Not monetarily. Our volunteer families receive satisfaction from influencing
the training of tomorrow’s doctors in a deep and significant way. At
the beginning of the program, we hold a formal reception to thank the volunteers
and their families for this commitment.
Q4. 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. The FCE Program is deeply committed to diversity among the volunteers
who teach our students. We can all learn from the mixture of voices and experiences
that come from our community.
Q5. Will the students
live with me?
A. No. Students have housing established already.
Q6. When the students
are in my home, do I need to serve them refreshments or dinner?
A. Not necessary. Your willingness to talk to your students about deeply personal
things is a gift. Some families invite students to share a meal; however,
it is not expected and you are under absolutely no obligation to do so.
Q7. Can
the students give me or my family medical care?
A. No. FCE asks that you keep medical questions for the team treating you and
not your medical students as they are in the very early training stages. They
are not yet qualified to provide any medical advice or medical care.
Q8. Why does a FCE volunteer need to live
within 30 miles of the campus?
A. Students need to be able to get to you for a visit and back to campus
in a reasonable period of time for other classes/coursework.
Q9. Will
you need to see my medical records?
A. If you are a patient at the U-M Health System, with your permission, the
FCE office may review your medical records to determine suitability for the
program or to update contact information. Students will not have access to
your medical records because FCE wants your story to come from you.
Q10. How
will the students use confidential information?
A. The students will discuss and explore their thoughts and insights 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 a primary goal
for our medical students.
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