Richard A Davidson1. 1. Office of Generalist Education, University of Florida College of Medicine, Box 100291, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. davidra@medicine.ufl.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although many medical schools understand and support the need for community service as part of educational training, this goal has been difficult to operationalize. DESCRIPTION: The Community Health Scholars program, a joint effort between the Area Health Education Center and the University of Florida, places 1st-year medical students in clinical settings with underserved populations, both rural and urban. The stated goal of the experience is to solve a problem identified by the communities as well as provide exposure to community practice and environment. EVALUATION: The program provided notable services to many communities. More than 80% of participating students believed it was a good or excellent learning experience; more than 90% believed that the program affected their career choice; and 100% believed that the program should be continued. Although this is a 1st-year program, students were not surveyed until their last year, suggesting that the program may have a lasting effect. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative program successfully provided a service-learning experience for students while promoting solutions to problems in underserved communities.
BACKGROUND: Although many medical schools understand and support the need for community service as part of educational training, this goal has been difficult to operationalize. DESCRIPTION: The Community Health Scholars program, a joint effort between the Area Health Education Center and the University of Florida, places 1st-year medical students in clinical settings with underserved populations, both rural and urban. The stated goal of the experience is to solve a problem identified by the communities as well as provide exposure to community practice and environment. EVALUATION: The program provided notable services to many communities. More than 80% of participating students believed it was a good or excellent learning experience; more than 90% believed that the program affected their career choice; and 100% believed that the program should be continued. Although this is a 1st-year program, students were not surveyed until their last year, suggesting that the program may have a lasting effect. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative program successfully provided a service-learning experience for students while promoting solutions to problems in underserved communities.
Authors: Eva Pfarrwaller; Johanna Sommer; Christopher Chung; Hubert Maisonneuve; Mathieu Nendaz; Noëlle Junod Perron; Dagmar M Haller Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 5.128