Operation House Call
Operation House Call, of the Arc of Greater Boston, is a required disability awareness program for all third-year Boston University medical students taught during their pediatric rotation. The program includes two classes taught by the Operation House Call Coordinator and a home visit to a family who has a child with a developmental disability.
The goal of this program is to provide future doctors with a better understanding of the life issues individuals with disabilities and their families face each day. Medical as well as non-medical issues are discussed within the framework of their pediatric training. Over 180 third year B.U. medical students attend Operation House Call each year.
Operation House Call is staffed by a 15 hour per month Coordinator with programmatic supervision from the ArcGB Director of Advocacy and Community Services. In classtime the OHC Coordinator presents information designed to help doctors understand and support families. Personal stories and videos are shared and teaching packets are distributed to each student. Classtime and information packets cover a wide range of issues including: people first language, delivering unexpected news, how to listen to individuals, siblings and families, prenatal testing, education, inclusion, community supports and internet resources.
A key component to this program’s success is the willingness of over 70 volunteer families who agree to host a pair of students for a two hour visit. Families act as educators providing the students with personal experiences outside of a clinical setting.
Warmth, honesty, and the sharing of personal experience make families excellent teachers of future doctors. A primary responsibility of the Operation House Call coordinator is to recruit more families from the Arc of Greater Boston service area and to coordinate visits at the convenience of families. Families who participate say they enjoy their role in educating our medical community of tomorrow.
To be a volunteer family please contact:
Susanna Peyton, Operation House Call Coordinator
Arc of Greater Boston and B.U. School of Medicine
Home Tel: 781-961-3770
Email: johnsusanna@rcn.com
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