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Our program brings the families, who have experienced a chronic illness or disability, into the classroom to share their life's experiences. They share their stories of coping with disability or chronic illness, and experiences with the health care system (environment, communication, health care professionals).
brings the real life experience of a family who has a child with chronic illness or disability into the classroom. The goal of this program is to help strengthen the partnership between professionals and families by providing students the opportunity to learn about issues related to care and development of children with a chronic illness and/or disability. Classroom settings can vary widely from class to class. Families are willing to do a presentation about their child and experience, can participate in panels or work with an instructor to teach a specific topic.
allows future healthcare professionals (medical students, nursing students, social work majors, dietetic interns and residents) a chance to go on a home visit or attend a community setting with a family who has a child with chronic illness or disability. This face to face experience gives the participant an opportunity to learn from families about issues and challenges they face by talking and observing the families in context of their home life or community setting. FAM participants are invited to a group review of their experiences with Vanderbilt Faculty and Staff.
Approximately 50 families from the Middle Tennessee area, representing diverse chronic conditions and disabilities, will participate in the F.A.C.T. program. The families are recruited through recommendations made by family support groups and health care professionals, and attend an orientation and training program.
They are knowledgeable about and eager to share their experiences in a wide variety of subject areas such as:
- advocacy and support
- education
- personal/family issues
- ethical issues
- grief issues
- developmental issues
- health care/medical treatment
- recreation
Many presentations are given by the parents of a child with a chronic illness or disability, but often other family members such as siblings, or the child with a chronic health condition, will choose to share their experiences as well. Their activities as F.A.C.T. participants vary and can include one-on-one interviews, participation in panel discussions, presentations to large groups of students, and participation in video productions to be shown to students.
The goals of F.A.C.T. are:
- TO strengthen the partnership between professionals and families.
- TO increase students' knowledge and sensitivity to issues involved in caring for children and their families.
- TO increase students' awareness of resources to meet health-related needs of children and their families.
- TO encourage students' adoption of family-centered principles in caring for children.
To learn more about FACT and/or FAM and how you can participate click on one of the links below:
Read a story about FACT/FAM
Comments on the FACT/FAM program by participants
Print a brochure about the FACT/FAM program
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