In addition, health care in Native American communities presents a bleak picture.
The number of Native American professionals to meet the health care need of
Native American people is extremely low. In this country Native Americans represent
only 0.5% of physicians, 0.7% of dentists, 1.1% of dental hygienist, 1.25%
of physician assistance and 0.6% of nurse practitioners (Center for Health
Workforce Studies, 2000).
Solutions
The following recommendations were made by the American Indian Education Journal
(2004) to implement an effective dropout prevention program:
- Offer cohort classes designed specifically for Native America students
so students can receive peer support and help each another
- Offer early career counseling
- Provide caring supportive teachers
- Provide curriculum that is culturally sensitive and helps students to connect
the worlds of work, family, community and education
- Involve parents in the student’s education
The Hoop of Learning Medical Professions Internship Program is designed to
build a high school to college-bridge and foster educational resilience and
career development among Native students. The Hoop Medical Internships Program
will focus on increasing the number of Native Americans in the health and medical
professions by preparing Native American teens for successful careers in the
health care profession. In addition, this program will help Native American
students deal with the “culture shock” of the college environment
by introducing college classes to students while they are still in high school.
Students will enroll in cohort classes offered only to Native American students.
Not only will this foster a peer support climate but it will introduce college
curriculum that is culturally sensitive.
Eight years ago the Phoenix Union High School District implemented a Hoop
of Leaning Program. Three years after its inception the data demonstrated that
Native students who were involved in the Hoop Program had a retention rate
of 93% compared to a 67% retention rate of Native students who were not involved
with Hoop. Three years ago GateWay Community College entered into a partnership
with the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Last summer 26 students participated
in a health care internship program. All 26 students successfully completed
the program and are returning this summer to continue.
Hoop Program and Goals
Hoop will recruit Native American high school juniors and seniors. Students
will take college credit health classes at GateWay Community College in the
morning and participate in an internship at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center
in the afternoon. Not only does this provide a hands-on experience in a hospital
setting helping students make the connection between school, family and work
but it also gives students an opportunity to work with their community.
The goals of the Hoop Health Care Program are to:
- Develop a partnership between GateWay Community College and the Phoenix Indian
Medical Center
- Eliminate the ‘cultural shock” of the college campus environment
- Provide college preparation of incoming students for earlier entry into college
- Support innovative curriculum development that will encourage Native American
students to choose health care professions as a career
- Provide opportunities for students to earn college credit while attending high school
- Provide real work experience through internships in the Phoenix Indian Medical Center
- Provide genuine incentive and commitment for Native American students to complete
high school and continue in college
- Establish an active parent involvement program
- Involve parent/family in the students education by offering a family/student orientation
- Bridge the disconnection between the worlds of work, education and family.
Hoop permits high school junior and senior students to explore the many fields
and career opportunities in the health care area. Students will enroll in “Fundamentals
in Health Care Delivery” which is a three credit college class that can
be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science. Students will attend class
for five weeks in the summer at GateWay Community College from 9:00 am to 11:30
am. From noon until
4:00 pm students will participate in a paid internship program at the Phoenix
Indian Medical Center. Students will be involved in hospital activities and
the actual care of patients in three areas: dental, surgery and mental health.
There will be a mandatory parent (family) and student orientation program at
the start of the program. The orientation will outline program goals and expectations.
Predicted Outcomes
Success of this program will be measured on the retention of high school students
and the completion of college classes. High school juniors will have the
option of continuing their education by taking college classes the following
summer. High school seniors will attend financial aid and college advisory
seminars that will prepare them to enter college in the fall semester. GateWay
would like to repeat this program every summer.
For more information on this article, contact
Dr. Dekker, Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
>> See the past feature articles.
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