How do patients benefit?
First-year medical students are matched with patients throughout the Pittsburgh area to learn from and understand over the course of their entire medical education. Medical students act as advocates and an additional support team member for the patient as the patient navigates the health care system.
Who is the ideal patient?
We are looking for patients who have appointments in Oakland and the surrounding areas a few times per year as many medical students rely on public transportation to visit their patient.
What is the time commitment?
The program is a 3-4 year commitment but is in no way binding. Students and patients are expected to meet a few times throughout the year, maybe once per month. The line of communication is what you feel comfortable with and can be worked out with your student.
What about my privacy?
Every medical student is bound by the same privacy laws that your physicians are. They can only share your information with your specific medical team and no one else.