Student-Run Free Clinics (SRFC) are uniquely positioned to deliver accessible care while simultaneously developing future healthcare practitioners focused on community health. With over 100 such clinics across the United States, SRFCs present a novel opportunity to amplify community awareness and use of harm reduction interventions through collaboration with local stakeholders. Harm reduction tools such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips have become increasingly available to the public to combat the rapid rise of opioid related drug overdoses. Community organizations have complemented the legislative movement in protecting the public by hosting events designed to educate on and distribute harm reduction kits to people eager to support individuals in their communities. Such initiatives have allowed for the introduction of publicized Naloxone Access Points (NAPs) which allow everyone free, undeniable access to harm reduction resources. Delivered in conjunction with a community partner, this talk outlines processes and considerations for successful establishment of a NAP site as a component of an existing SRFC. It also details the logistics of providing direct community access to harm reduction kits as well as the development and delivery of a harm reduction curricula tailored to both clinic volunteers and community members.
This discussion will detail work that originated from a student-led collaborative model between the Steve Rummler Hope Network, a community organization that distributes harm reduction kits, Fairview Health System, a healthcare system that provides naloxone training, Phillips Neighborhood Clinic (PNC), a Minneapolis-based SRFC that serves as a central hub for harm reduction education and kit distribution, and St. Paul’s-San Pablo, an English-Spanish language church that hosts both the NAP site and PNC. This collaboration led to the development and delivery of bilingual naloxone education/administration trainings and to the establishment of our NAP site with kits available containing naloxone, syringes, fentanyl test strips, and directions for use in four languages. In addition to participating in the training sessions, clinic volunteers are now trained to offer these services, answer questions related to harm reduction, and share relevant resources. The success of this project is evident through the distribution of over 60 naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips throughout the local community in which the clinic is located. The impact and feasibility of this NAP site is sustained by stakeholder collaboration and supports a call to action for other clinics to integrate harm reduction interventions into their operations in a way that’s guided by community partnership.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
