RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Vhi have entered into a new partnership to study the impact of student-led community health clinics. The research will examine the outcomes for patients, students and local communities.

The StEP (Student Engagement and Partnership) Health Research Partnership will focus on RCSI’s student led interprofessional community health clinic, which is the first-of-its-kind in Europe.

RCSI students from dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy, supported by qualified health professionals, will work together to deliver health checks and clinics in partnership with RCSI Engage and local residents and community groups in Dublin city. These free clinics provide accessible healthcare services to local communities, while enabling students to participate meaningfully in person-centred care.

Vhi is the industry partner for the research evaluation, and the study will use anonymised information from the clinics to assess outcomes and inform future models of care and education.

Access to preventative healthcare remains uneven, particularly for low-income and marginalised communities. By addressing this gap, these clinics respond directly to unmet healthcare needs, offering monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and other key health indicators in a community setting. Working collaboratively across professions and under the supervision of experienced clinicians, students gain invaluable hands-on experience in community-based care, while community partners benefit from integrated health support.

Dr Muirne Spooner, Deputy Dean of Interprofessionalism and Community Engaged Learning and academic lead of the StEP Health Research Partnership, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Vhi on this important research. Interprofessional student-led clinics have been shown to support learners in preparing for their work in clinical practice. We are looking forward to contributing to the understanding of the ways all stakeholders; learners, community partners, patients and faculty experience student-led clinics.”

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, welcomed the partnership, saying: “RCSI is proud to partner with Vhi on this important study. As Ireland’s only university entirely dedicated to medicine and health sciences, we believe in pioneering innovative community well-being collaboration opportunities that also give our students the best possible education. This project reinforces our commitment as the number one ranked university in the world for our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being by recognising that community partnerships benefit our students in offering meaningful clinical experience while supporting local residents in positive health behaviours.”

Dr Lynda Keaveney, Group Healthcare Officer at Vhi, said: “Vhi is partnering with RCSI to evaluate how student-led clinics can improve access to prevention and community care. This work supports our focus on sustainable healthcare, putting people and planet at the heart of what we do, and will help guide future models of care that prevent illness and support people earlier and closer to home. This partnership will also help to develop future clinicians and builds on Vhi’s community partnerships. Advancing this work together reflects our shared dedication to healthcare innovation that delivers value across clinical, academic and community settings.

“RCSI’s interprofessional student-led community health clinics are supported by the RCSI Engage strategy which aims to enhance human health and education by building reciprocal partnerships between RCSI staff and students and our local and national communities.”