INTEGRATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY THROUGH UNIVERSITY EXTENSION: NA EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

This article aimed to discuss the importance of developing university extension activities from the beginning of undergraduate medical education, highlighting their contribution to academic training and to strengthening the relationship between universities and society. This is a descriptive study based on three extension activities carried out by third-semester medical students. The activities were conducted in different community settings and included rapid testing at a Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU), the distribution of informational leaflets in a school setting, and the production and dissemination of an educational video, accessed via QR code, on diabetic foot prevention. These activities enabled students to engage in health education and health promotion practices, connecting the knowledge acquired in the academic environment with the needs of the community. It was concluded that these experiences demonstrated the relevance of early engagement between university students and society, contributing to medical education and strengthening Teaching-Service-Community Integration (TSCI).