Reverse Ride-Alongs Connect Medical Caregivers With Their Community

Abstract

Many police departments have ride-along programs in which community residents accompany police officers in the field. Community organizers in one Cleveland, Ohio, neighborhood took that concept and flipped it to create a “reverse ride-along” program. During a reverse ride-along, police officers take part in community tours and dialogues to learn more about the area they serve and explore issues involving trust and trauma. In 2019, the reverse ride-along program added medical care providers from St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. The program was designed to connect residents and medical professionals for conversations in which learned knowledge and lived knowledge are valued equally. Participants identify barriers that deter positive health outcomes and prohibit effective engagement with the medical system. They do that by defining the social constructs unique to the community, then developing opportunities to address the barriers.