Article Title: Education in Advance Care Planning: A Novel Equity-Based, Interprofessional Service-Learning Approach
Authors:
Dorothy Yam University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Sriya Kudaravalli University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Elizabeth A. Mulvaney University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
Leslie Scheunemann University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Grace W. Orsatti Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
About:
Graduate programs often emphasize service-learning and interprofessionalism but students have few chances to practice these skills in real-world settings. To help address this issue, educators designed an interdisciplinary service-learning approach where law, medical, and social work students hosted Life Planning Fairs in underserved Pittsburgh communities. This resulted in stronger student skills in teamwork, communication, and equity-driven care along with meaningful support for community members making important advance care planning and end-of-life decisions. This model shows how hands-on service learning can prepare students for collaborative, patient-centered work while promoting greater access to care for underserved communities.
Key Insights:
Interprofessional student teams, from law, medicine, and social work, collaborated to support advance care planning in underserved Pittsburgh communities.
Life Planning Fairs provided a valuable community service, with most participants completing legal documents, such as power of attorney, and reporting high satisfaction.
Students gained practical skills in communication, interprofessional teamwork and equity-centered care that traditional classroom settings often lack.
The project offers a scalable model for universities to integrate hands-on, community-based service into graduate education.