Dick's House & Dartmouth Medical School's Medical Peer Advocate Program

The purpose of this program is to provide support and input to members of the Dartmouth community whom, while patients at Dick's House, require medical care at DHMC. Likewise, it is being created with the recognition of the learning opportunities that are available to medical students assisting with Dick's House patients in need of care at DHMC.

The Dick's House staff will offer a Medical Peer Advocate to all transferring patients whose circumstances are appropriate for this program. The Dick's House staff will endeavor to encourage the use of an Advocate in cases of educational or experiential value. However, it is the right of the transferring patient to accept or refuse the offer and their decision will not in any way affect the care provided to them as Dick's House patients.

At the consent of any patient at Dick's House who will be travelling to DHMC for medical care, Dick's House staff will page the Medical Peer Advocate on-call who will respond immediately to gather the DHMC appointment information essential for assisting the transferring patient.

The Medical Peer Advocate will then meet the transferring student at DHMC and accompany her/him as s/he receives care and as the patient wishes. If time permits, the Medical Peer Advocate may meet the transferring patient at Dick's House. No medical student will transfer any patient to or from DHMC or Dick's House.

If, due to other commitments, the Medical Peer Advocate is not available, he or she will attempt to contact the alternate student. If no Medical Peer Advocate is available, the staff at Dick's House should be notified and so inform the provider making the request.

Dick's House staff will be provided a call schedule for medical students volunteering to accompany patients. The Medical Peer Advocate on call will be provided a pager.

Absolute protection of patient confidentiality must be insured. All Medical Peer Advocates assisting Dick's House patients will sign a confidentiality agreement, insuring the utmost respect for these patients' privacy.

The primary role of the Medical Peer Advocate is to provide support and assistance to the transferring patient while accompanying the patient. The Medical Peer Advocates are not medical care providers.

Contacts
Dick's House: Charlene "Charley" Bradley (603) 650-1464
DMS: Donna DiFillippo (603) 650-1594