Course Catalog

 
STP2174 FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH: AN INTERPROFESSIONAL APPROACH FOR FUTURE CLINICIANS
Department FAMILY & COMMUNITY MEDICINE Campus Tuscaloosa
Course Type(s) Special Topic Facility
Course Director LOUANNE FRIEND, PhD, RN Enrollment Limit 16
Contact LOUANNE FRIEND, PhD, RN Enrollment Minimum 6
Email mlfriend@ua.edu Address
Birmingham, AL
Phone (205) 348-6753 Fax
Weeks
Normally Offered
See Offering Dates		 44-44
Prerequisites Be a currently enrolled medical student in good academic standing. Have completed foundational coursework in clinical medicine and patient communication. MS3 and MS4 students only (or equivalent level of clinical training). Demonstrate an interest in Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Public Health, Behavioral Health, or related fields. Be willing to engage in discussions involving sensitive topics, including suicide, interpersonal violence, 
Specific Clerkship Prerequisites:
Visiting Students
No LCME students accepted.
No osteopathic students accepted.
Course Description Firearm Injury Prevention and Mental Health: An lnterprofessional Approach for Future Clinicians is a one-week intensive Special Topic designed for senior medical students and residents interested in developing practical skills to address firearm-related injury, suicide prevention, and patient safety in clinical practice. Firearm Injury remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, requiring healthcare professionals to be prepared to identify risk factors, engage in patient-centered counseling, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based prevention strategies. This course examines firearm injury through the lenses of public health, primary care, psychiatry, health equity, and community engagement. Participants will explore the epidemiology of firearm-related injury and death, the relationship between firearm access and mental illness, suicide prevention strategies, trauma-informed communication, legal and ethical considerations, and approaches to counseling patients and families about firearm safety. Through interactive lectures, case-based learning, simulation, standardized patient encounters, small-group discussions, and interprofessional collaboration, learners will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to integrate firearm is one-week Special Topic combines didactic instruction with active learning strategies designed to promote clinical application and professional skill development. Instructional methods include: Interactive faculty-led lectures, Case-based discussio, Team-based learning actiies, and Simulation exercises Learners will engage in approximately 22 contact hours over a one-week period. Daily activities will include interactive lectures, case-based discussions, small-group breakout sessions, simulation-based learning, standardized patient encounters, and team-based learning exercises. Faculty from Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Public Health, Nursing, Law, and Community Health will contribute to course delivery, providing learners with an interprofessional perspective on firearm injury prevention, mental health, patient safety, and evidence-based clinical practice.
Where To Report CCHS Classrooms @ 8:00 AM
Requirements To successfully complete this course, students must:

Attend and actively participate in all scheduled course sessions, including lectures, small-group discussions, simulations, and interprofessional learning activities.

Engage in case-based learning exercises and contribute to group discussions in a professional and respectful manner. Participate in standardized patient encounters, simulation activities, and debriefing sessions. Demonstrate competency in firearm risk assessment, suicide prevention, safety planning, and patient-centered counseling through simulation-based exercises.

Adhere to professional standards of conduct, including confidentiality, respectful communication, and engagement with sensitive topics such as suicide, violence, trauma, and mental health. Successfully complete the final Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)-style assessment and capstone presentation.
Evaluation Attendance and Aclive Participalion (20%)
Case-Based Learning Assignments (20%)
Course Evaluation and Quality Improvement Feedback (25%)
Simulation and Standardized Patienl Encounters (35%)

The course will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis
Notes