SMP students at Special Olympics Healthy Athletes.
As part of the Faculty of Medicine’s Flexible Enhanced Learning course, Southern Medical Program (SMP) students get opportunities to immerse themselves in the community to collaborate with local organizations.
Recently, SMP students partnered with the Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes program to assist with health screenings at a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Day in Kelowna. We caught up with second-year student Danielle Macdonald, who shared more about her experience:
How did you get involved?
My previous experience as a coach with the Special Olympics allowed me to build strong connections with the athletes and sparked a passion for working with this community. When I noticed limited research on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) in BC, I was motivated to pursue this project.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Day offers fun, interactive health screenings and education tailored to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The screenings take place in a welcoming, relaxed environment where athletes felt comfortable and supported.
Tells us more about the project.
According to the Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes Screening Survey, 29% of caregivers reported that these screenings identified previously undetected medical concerns, while 78% said the screenings helped them gain valuable health care knowledge.
SMP students played an active role in the event, promoting health education by discussing topics such as nutrition, sun safety, personal hygiene, and hydration. They also assisted with measurements like blood pressure, height, and weight.
Supported by health care professionals, athletes receive referrals back into the health care system to ensure everyone gets the treatment they need. Other offered screenings include health hearing, vision, dentistry, podiatry, and mental health.
Second-year SMP student Danielle Macdonald.
How has the experience impacted your learning as a future physician?
This project has provided me with a much deeper understanding of the significant barriers to equitable health care that this population faces. Individuals with IDDs experience a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular disease and related complications due to an interplay of biological, social, and systemic factors.
I hope to remain involved with Special Olympics throughout my career and would love to see SMP students continue contributing to this initiative in the coming years. Additionally, I hope to encourage local physicians to get involved in supporting future events.