Community Oriented Projects (COP)
1.0 Introduction
The training of medical and dental students to be “caring doctors” is the ultimate goal of
the International Medical University. Humanistic skill should be ingrained in every
student and the medical and dental curriculum should be designed to ensure that this vital
skill is continuously being emphasized throughout the course of the medical curriculum.
Medical and dental students should be actively involved with the community so as to be
able to understand the health needs of society. Summerlin et al (1993) reiterate that
medical students and residents are more likely to understand the health needs of a
community if they have community-based practical experience during their training.
The Community Oriented Projects at welfare institutions or in the community will
provide a learning experience for students to identify relevant community health needs,
interventions and services. Students will be able to familarise themselves with the
organization and services provided by welfare institutions in addition to actively
participating in intervention activities. The experiential learning provided throughout this
posting will enhance knowledge and skills in community support services provided by
both, government and non governmental agencies. This project addresses three IMU out
comes, mainly disease prevention and health promotion, family and community issues in
health care, and Professionalism, ethics, and personal development.
2.0 Learning Objectives
At the end of the posting students should have:
2.1 Acquired knowledge of the subject of interest related to health
2.2 Acquired skills in planning, organizing and implementing a community based
intervention programme
2.3 Understand the role of the different sectors of the society
3.0 Mode of Implementation
• This is a contract learning undertaken individually or by a group not exceeding 6
students in consultation with their supervisors.
• This programme is totally student driven.
• The project planning will commence in Semester 1 and be completed after
Foundation 1
• The students will be given the flexibility of selecting a community based activity.
They include government and non governmental organisations, schools or any
community project of their choice.
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• The students should actively participate in the activities and acquire skills in
conducting a community based service.
• Staff from the Community Medicine & Behavioural Sciences section will be
assigned to each student/group to serve as a supervisor.
• Official from the institution where the project is conducted will act as an External
Supervisor
4.0 Students’ Responsibilities
1. Decide if the activity is to be performed individually or as a group
2. If it’s a group activity select leader for the group
3. Make preliminary inquiries to select the institution where the project will be
conducted.
4. Decide on activity to be performed and make draft proposal with objectives.
5. Consult staff on assigned days for advice and approval of project proposal.
6. Write detailed project proposal and plan of action.
7. Get final approval from the Coordinator for the project proposal (Appendix 1).
8. Obtain formal letter of introduction from COP Coordinator if necessary.
9. Get formal approval from the institution to conduct the programme.
10. Prepare yourself for the activity
11. Implement the programme.
12. Get feedback form signed by the External Supervisor. (Appendix 2)
13. Write report individually and submit to COP Coordinator before deadline.
NB.
1. Students are advised to follow the schedule given in the Plan of Action.
2. Students should obtain Supervisor approval for any material produced for health
education activities. This is to make sure that students do not provide
misinformation to the community.
5.0 Report Format
Each student will submit a report not exceeding 3000 words. It will include a 2 page
report on individual reflections, irrespective of performing the project individually or as a
group.
The report should be typed on one side of A4 white paper and double spaced throughout.
Times New Roman font, size 12 in black ink is preferred. The report should be spiral
bound. The format of the title page is annexed. (Appendix 3)
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5.1 Title
Title is what the reader sees first. It should be chosen with care to attract the
reader giving an adequate description of the project.
5.2 Table of contents
Introduction
Background
Objectives
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Reflections
Acknowledgment
References
Appendix
5.3 Introduction
Describe the global and the Malaysian scenario of the health related
problem addressed in your project. What is been done to address the
health problem and how much is done and why it is done. Write what is
known about the issue and what is been done to address it.
5.4 Background
About the institution or the community where the project was done. If it is
a NGO about its staff, resources and activities.
5.5 Objective
A precise statement of what you hoped to achieve by your activity.
5.6 Methodology
It will include all details from the stage of planning to implementation.
5.7 Results
Give your results if any in tables and charts.
5.8 Discussion
Include under discussion the interpretation of your results, or what you
achieved and the difficulties you faced etc. What impact your activity
would have had in changing the health issue addressed by you. Compare
and contrast with any other similar activities you know of. Any differences
or similarities noted.
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5.9 Reflections
How the project activity helped you to change your views on serving the
community.
Your feelings:
- about the health related problem
- regarding the services provided - strengths and weaknesses
- on the impact of the services provided by the institution
- about what should be done to improve the services
- about your activity – what went right and wrong.
- lessons learnt
How you would improve your activity if given another chance
5.10 Acknowledgement
5.11 References (If any)
Number references consecutively in the order in which they are first
mentioned in the text. Use Arabic numerals in parenthesis. Follow the
Vancouver style. Refer Malaysian Medical Journal.
5.12 Appendix
Any pictures
Any materials produced (do not include pamphlets from the institution)
Attach External Supervisors feedback form
Attach Evaluation form
NB : Plagiarism constitutes professional as well as scientific misconduct.
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for plagiarism.
6.0 Assessment
Criteria Marks
Introduction 10
- Problem statement clearly mentioned
- International and local scenario described
- Purpose of the project clearly stated
Background 10
- Description of the NGO/Community
- Functions described
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- Roles and responsibility of personnel described
- Resources available and the source described
Methodology 10
- All steps from planning to implementation described
- The intervention programme described
Results 10
- your findings
Discussion 15
- Compared with similar interventions
- Impact of the intervention described
- Limitations described
Reflections 30
- How the project activity changed your outlook
- Lessons learnt described.
- What went wrong described
- Strengths and weaknesses of the services provided described
- Areas for improvements of the intervention described
- Remedial action for gaps in their knowledge described
Overall presentation 15
- Writes clearly
- No errors in language
- Conformity to standard format
Total 100
7.0 Plan of Action
Action By Whom
Students briefed on the COP Coordinator
Students decide whether project is done Students
individually or as a group
Students make preliminary inquiries on where Students
the project could be done
Students meet staff of Community Medicine Student
section with proposal (See time table for dates Supervisors
and venue)
Develop detailed project plan Students
Students get approval for project. Appendix 1 Coordinator
(deadline for submission 7 December 2010)
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Get official letters of introduction Coordinator
Get official approval from the institution where Students
project will be done
If any teaching material are to be used get Students
approval from supervisor Supervisor
Preparation for project Students
Conduct the project Students
Write report and submit to coordinator (See Students
deadline in Semester 2 time table)
Assessment of reports completed Supervisors
Dr Ranjit De Alwis
Coordinator