1. Lisa Beltz1, Alice Crume2, and Dean Porr3
A Multidisciplinary Template for Community Service by Universities: Communication of Health-Related Issues
Lisa Beltz1, Alice Crume2, and Dean Porr3
Departments of 1Biological Sciences, 2Communication Studies, and 3Management & Information Systems, Kent State University at Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia, OH
Two university multidisciplinary service-learning projects (Communication Studies, Biological Sciences, and ManagemNational Academies of Practiceent & Information Systems courses) focused on disseminating health-related information during Fall 2010 and 2011 (cystic fibrosis in 2010 ; domestic violence in 2011) in conjugation with community service-learning partners). In both projects, theme-specific information was integrated into appropriate lectures in Communications and Biology classes. Students were required to perform additional research using published literature, Websites, and interviews. In 2011, students also spoke to junior and senior high health classes.
Management & Information Systems students publicized and directed a large informational presentation at the conclusion of each project which was open to the general public. The presentations included a lecture by a professional in the field, a play and informational posters produced by communications and biology students, and audience interaction. Students also created informational brochures.
Goals Met
Service-learning experiences were integrated into traditional university courses
Students got real-life experience with concepts learned in the class so as to encourage future community engagement and good citizenship
Students served community groups and saw the importance of their involvement in the lives of persons affected by serious health problems
Community groups received material to be mass produced for their continued use
Large numbers of people who would not normally receive information were informed about critical health-related topics
Combining knowledge from different disciplines resulted in experiences far richer than any of the fields would be able to produce if acting alone
Biology students’ posters depicted effects of cystic fibrosis, including infections, respiratory/digestive system damage, and issues of concern during pregnancy. Props included food items eaten by CF patients, respiratory equipment to ease breathing, and a game of LIFE showing the obstacles and victories occurring during living a life with CF
“Breaking the Cycle of Abuse” Communications students show various types of domestic violence, including situations in which either the man or woman was the aggressor or in which adult children and grandchildren abuse their elderly parent/grandparent
“A Life with Cystic Fibrosis”
Communications students portray the life of a hypothetical person living with CF, including birth, childhood, recurring hospitalizations, teen-age years, marriage, and having children. A major focus was on how advances in research and clinical intervention extend the life-span of persons living with CF
The Future
The experience gained during the previous two years will be used as a template to design similar multidisciplinary service-learning courses in the future. We hope to involve other university departments, such as Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Theater, and the Fine Arts in topics that may include unhealthy life-style choices/prescription drug abuse, aging, and obesity
Our template will allow further communication of disease concerns to the surrounding community as part of a broad-based collaboration between universities, advocacy groups, patients, health professionals, and researchers.
Impact
During the Semester
~100 students spoke to junior and senior high classes
students each year gained a much greater understanding about these health topics
Final Presentation
people attended : 2 persons living with CF, 20 caregivers, 6 medical personnel, 57 students, 10 faculty/staff, and 34 others
Networking occurred between persons affected by the conditions, care-givers, medical personnel, researchers, students, and college faculty
Community partners received >25 posters and 10 pamphlets for educational and fund raising purposes
Four community groups distributed pamphlets in 2011
A prominent CF researcher, Dr. Mitchell Drumm of Case Western University (right), with the Campus Dean (left), an initiator and major supporter of the campus’s service-learning program public presentation
Acknowledgements
We thank our community partners (The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Cystic Fibrosis Center of Akron, and COMPASS), our presenters (Dr. Mitchell Drumm and Dr. John Pleisinger), and Kent State University’s Service-Learning Program.
In addition to publicity, Business Management students registered attendants, handed out programs and notepads, and direct audience members at the public presentations