CHSU Discovery

Community Medicine rotation is paramount in Family Medicine residency education to learn about the application of Population Health science in addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) impacting vulnerable and underserved populations. A mobile van is a practical solution to improve healthcare access by bringing healthcare services to the community being served in limited-resource settings. The Adventist Health mobile care unit provides healthcare services to underserved and vulnerable populations in the Tulare community, including homeless shelters. The medical staff on the mobile van deliver comprehensive care which includes vital sign checks, Point-Of-Care testing, immunizations, wound care, Sports Physicals, and health check-ups. For complex medical care, differentials are generated, and appropriate disposition is determined by residents who are supervised by attending physicians. Transport is provided to patients who need further healthcare services. The mobile van's primary goal is to learn about the application of population health science and deliver community service to the underserved and vulnerable populations. It provides an opportunity for the resident physicians to gain experience in community medicine and develop the skills needed to address SDoH. The mobile van has successfully provided healthcare services to the Tulare community, and there are plans to expand the equipment to include more specialized medical services.