SCDAA 46th Annual National Convention

Abstract

Authors:
Dr. Dr. Majorie Dejoie-Brewer- SCDAA/PDVC, Mrs. Donna Pennington Monroe, MS- SCDAA/PDVC

Increasing the number of qualified health care professionals who are knowledgeable, qualified and interested in sickle cell disease has been a primary initiative of the SCDAA national organization and the community at large. Recruiting future providers through nontraditional partnerships has been a focus of the SCDAA /PDVC chapter. One partnership formed with an initiative called "Bridging The Gaps" has done exactly that. Through this partnership are able to expose future physicians, nurses, social workers, dentists and veterinarians to the needs of the sickle cell community and their potential role as a member of their health care team. This program allows for a complete immersion of interns into the lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease. Through structured programming, education and exposure they are able to gain a true understanding of the disease process, the health care needs of the population , the bio-psychosocial paradigm, the social isolation, health care barriers and the daily struggle faced by these individuals. They are then challenged to develop an initiative that would benefit this population, develop a heart healthy program and develop a presentation on sickle cell disease for a community health symposium. This forum gives them an opportunity to see sickle cell disease through a different lense, become passionate about the population, communicate that compassion and enthusiasm to other providers and spark a true interest in wanting to care for the sickle cell population. The impact of this partnership has been significant and the individuals living with the illness have been the primary beneficiaries.
Objective: expose and recruit future HCP to sickle cell disease.
Methods: formal partnership with The Bridging the Gaps program. Training two interns for seven weeks, open forums with approximately 200 future providers, and four health awarness events.
Results: Improve understanding and increase the interest among future providers who may not exposed to SCD at all until later in their career. Increased awareness among HCPS, advocates, activists, other universities and community organizations.
Conclusion: More alliances such as these need to be formed so that our growing population will have capable, knowledgeable and caring providers in the future.