Chloé Warehall, Aisling O’Hara, Caitlyn Joy Loo

Authors: Chloé Warehall | Aisling O’Hara | Caitlyn Joy Loo | Christina Morrissey | MB, BCh, BAO Candidates, Senior Cycle 1 Medical Students, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland D02 YN77

Contact Details: chloewarehall@rcsi.ie | aislingohara@rcsi.ie | caitlynloo@rcsi.ie | christinamorrissey@rcsi.ie

Theme: Authentic Student Experience: Showcasing UDL Teaching Approaches

Title of Poster: Patients of Cluain Mhuire: Asset-Based Community Development Pilot Study

Abstract: Following an introduction to Asset-Based Community Development, our team followed the teaching approaches of enquiry-based and problem-based learning. While taking histories from the patients of Cluain Mhuire Family Centre and Saint John of God Hospital, we elicited information regarding patient engagement and awareness of community assets that are available. We analysed this information to determine the main assets that individuals utilise; however, unsurprisingly, a significant limitation and barrier to community asset engagement was identified early on: COVID-19 Restrictions. The pandemic has altered everyone’s lives and normal routines, including community participation, which is often difficult in this patient population already.

We have determined potential sources of improvement that can be implemented both during the pandemic in line with government restrictions and once life has returned to normal. Community assets have been shown to be invaluable sources of enjoyment and beneficial to mental health and maintenance, making it an attractive avenue to improve wellbeing in the community at large and particularly in a patient populations that suffer with mental illness.