Reframing Student Led Clinics

While not many people know about South Main Clinic, a small clinic nestled in the heart of South Salt Lake City, those who find their way there discover a wide range of resources as well as healthcare professionals ready to provide patient-centered, affordable care to the community. One important component of this care is the student-led clinic, which often raises complex discussions about patient care and student learning that can lead to hesitancy or a lack of visibility.

In response, a group of students, faculty, and clinic leads came together to raise awareness of what this student-led clinic offers by creating a video centered on real patient testimony about the thorough and compassionate care students provide. We wanted to challenge the misconception that student-led care is somehow “less than.” Reflecting the student-led ideal, a small group of students brainstormed, coordinated, and directed the project under the supervision of Dr. Rawad Farhat, a university expert in population health and medical education. 

We quickly agreed that the video should center on patients, mirroring the patient-centered philosophy that guides our clinical interactions. With this clear goal in mind, we recruited more students and began assigning roles to complete the planning as efficiently as possible. From creating the storyboard and laying out a scene-by-scene outline to developing interview questions and seeking patients willing to share their experiences, the creation process was genuinely as rewarding as any other part of the project, especially thanks to the collaborative efforts of our clinic director and community health worker.

After everything was thoroughly planned, we brought the team together at South Main Clinic to shoot the video with professional videographer Darren Bailey. With each interview and shot we filmed, it began to feel like our small, simple idea was turning into something special. 

Through shots of the clinic director and our community health worker, the video emphasized the clinic’s commitment to making a wide range of resources accessible to patients and community members, many of which are free of charge. Through interviews with a student doctor and a real patient, we were able to flip the assumption that student-led means lower quality. In fact, the video revealed that the student-led clinic can offer more comprehensive, hands-on, and personal care. 

When the finished, edited product was sent to us, we felt proud of what we had created. Furthermore, the process reinforced a vital lesson: patient-centered care does not begin and end in the exam room. It also means helping people understand what’s available to them–including preventive visits, care coordination, and community resources–so they can navigate their care more easily. We hope this video helps our community see South Main Clinic as a place where students, mentors, and staff work together to deliver thorough, compassionate care. Most of all, we hope it helps anyone who needs support to feel welcome, informed, and empowered when they walk through our doors.