Global Perspective: "Be the Bridge" Collaboration: Our journey

Abstract

Students in the McMaster School of Nursing, like
in other Health Sciences programs, learn about
evidence-based practice in a variety of hospital
settings. However, best practice must also be
provided at a systems level in the community,
guided by the principles of primary health
care. During a third-year community health
course, we were placed in the South Sherman
neighbourhood, a low-income, high-priority
area in Hamilton. Within this community, we
learned that improving health requires looking
beyond the healthcare system. Therefore, we
developed an intervention to address the gap
between services and residents in the area.
After a successful pilot project, our initiative is
now becoming a full-scale partnership between
McMaster students and the Hamilton community
members who act as our hosts and teachers.