EUEF Nursing and Physiotherapy students improve sleep quality in homeless people

During this academic year, students of the Degree in Nursing and Physiotherapy at the San Juan de Dios University School of Nursing and Physiotherapy - Comillas (EUEF), have developed the Learning and Service Project (ApS) "Man does not live by bread alone" at the Santa María de la Paz Shelter, a space for the reception and comprehensive care of homeless people.

The initiative, coordinated by the Learning and Service Area at Comillas, has allowed the students to apply the knowledge acquired in their subjects to tackle a real problem: insomnia among the residents of the shelter. In this way, they have managed to integrate academic learning with a firm social commitment.

The ApS project "Man does not live by bread alone", as Sergio Hernández, 3rd year student of the Degree in Nursing, tells us, "is focused on improving the quality of sleep of the residents, as many of them have serious difficulties sleeping, which encourages polymedication and other harmful habits such as excessive use of screens or the consumption of coffee and sugary drinks in excess and at inappropriate hours".

"With a multidisciplinary approach, we have accompanied users with attention and respect, offering them simple but valuable tools. They have been very grateful and it has been very nice to see how they have shared and valued what we have done. It has been a very human experience, which has left its mark on me and which I hope we can repeat", says Ana Hornillo, a student in the 3rd year of the Degree in Nursing, a participant in the project.

Needs analysis and education in healthy habits

The project began with individual assessment sessions to identify the specific needs of users and the severity of the problem in their daily lives. Based on this diagnosis, the students offered health indications aimed at improving the quality of sleep.

"We knew that this project had to go beyond the physical. We also wanted it to strengthen their autonomy, their ability to live together, teamwork, mutual support and the value of manual work," the students emphasise.

In addition, having found scientific evidence that the use of aromatherapy is useful when it comes to falling asleep, the students have helped users to create air fresheners to help them rest.

Interdisciplinary intervention

Complementing these actions, astretching session and an exercise routine focused on muscle relaxation was developed with the collaboration of students from the Physiotherapy Degree. "This type of project is a way of learning and putting into practice everything learnt in the degree, as well as showing numerous skills such as communication and teamwork. In the end, not only do you give, but you also receive much more than you expect", says Lucía Carpintero, student of the Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy.

The transformative impact of Learning and Service

Thanks to ApS projects, students can acquire skills and competences in a real environment, with different groups and in different scenarios, which helps them to develop personal skills and prepare for their future incorporation into the labour market.

"On a personal and academic level, this project has been transformative. It has allowed me to experience nursing from its most human and community-based essence, outside the hospital environment. I learned to assess from a community "clinical eye", to work autonomously and to understand that, in the community, each piece of advice can make a real difference to a person's health. I have strengthened my vocation of service, understanding that we not only treat illnesses, but also people, whom we accompany on their life journey," says Sergio Hernández.

These initiatives also strengthen knowledge about the design and development of projects, the analysis of health indicators and the development of community care plans for vulnerable groups.

"I highly recommend an experience like this, because as a student, it allows you to integrate knowledge, develop research skills, and collaborate with other professionals from an interdisciplinary and human approach. It is a way of reaffirming why you chose Nursing: to care, to accompany and to improve lives", shares Sergio Hernández.

Next June, this project will have an international visit from UNISERVITATE, a global programme to promote solidarity service-learning (AYSS) in Catholic Institutions of Higher Education (ICES).