University outpatient clinic has 50,000 free consultations in Paraná

Practical immersion from the first years of medical graduation is an essential stage of training. Therefore, having an Academic Medical Specialties Outpatient Clinic within the university campus — linked to the Unified Health System (SUS) and the State Department of Health — contributes to students' learning and directly helps the population through free care. In Paraná, this direct connection between teaching, structure and the public network is one of the pillars of the Medicine course at the Centro Universitário Integrado de Campo Mourão. The institution has a maximum score (5) in the Institutional Concept of the Ministry of Education (MEC), being elected as the best university center in the state and has one of the best evaluated medical degrees in the region. "The in-house outpatient clinic allows continuous contact with real patients, providing integration between teaching, research and assistance. The structure expands the offer of specialized consultations, reduces waiting lists, strengthens the health care network and expands the capacity to respond to the needs of the population", explains the pedagogical coordinator of the Integrated Medicine course, Taísa Rocha Navasconi Berbert. Impact on the community and partnership with SUS Opened in March 2020, the Integrated Medical Specialties Academic Outpatient Clinic has 30 equipped offices and has provided more than 50,000 free consultations. The site receives patients from more than 40 municipalities in the Northwest region of Paraná, through accreditations with CISCOMCAM (Intermunicipal Health Consortium of the Community of Municipalities in the Campo Mourão Region) and CIS-Ivaiporã (Intermunicipal Health Consortium of the 22nd Health Region of Ivaiporã), in addition to having an agreement signed with Campo Mourão City Hall. Appointments at the Integrated Outpatient Clinic are carried out exclusively by the health departments of accredited municipalities, facilitating public access to specialist doctors, bringing more agility to the SUS and expanding students' practical experience. When there are remaining vacancies on the public sector agenda, they are made available to the community through popular consultations, following a waiting list. In these cases, services are offered at a social value, ensuring an accessible option for citizens. Main demands “As it is a region with strong agricultural activity, the specialty with the greatest demand is Dermatology, mainly due to the incidence of skin problems related to prolonged sun exposure”, says the manager of the Integrated Outpatient Clinic, Maria Aparecida Soares. "Psychiatry appears as the second most sought after area, both by patients referred by the SUS and by popular consultations. Other segments that also show high demand are Rheumatology, Gynecology, Neurology, Hematology and Orthopedics", adds the manager. From theory to practice The Integrated Outpatient Clinic was designed to simulate the routine of the medical profession, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge under the direct supervision of specialist professors. This dynamic develops clinical skills and humanized care, preparing future professionals for the job market. Medical students from the 5th to the 8th period carry out supervised care with a focus on improving the anamnesis (initial interview) and the general physical examination, fundamental steps for the construction of clinical reasoning and the doctor-patient relationship. At this point in their training, students improve listening, communication and evaluation skills, always with the support of teachers. Performance in regional health With this practical and structured immersion, the Integrated Medicine course works together with regional development. The Outpatient Clinic stands out for the following actions: Internal structure: Installed within the university campus, it has 30 equipped offices that simulate the real routine of the profession. Integration with SUS: More than 50 thousand free services have already been provided, serving as strategic support for more than 40 municipalities in the Northwest of Paraná. Supervised practice: Allows clinical immersion from the 5th to the 8th period under the direct supervision of specialist teachers, combining patient safety with the development of clinical reasoning. Social responsibility: Offering popular consultations for remaining vacancies, ensuring accessible care for the community. "For the population, the benefit lies in facilitated contact with specialists in different areas, reducing waiting times for appointments and improving quality of life. For accredited municipalities, it means more agility in public health care", adds Taísa Rocha Navasconi Berbert.