Surgery service learning in preclinical years improves medical student attitudes toward surgery, clinical confidence, and social determinants of health screening

Abstract

Introduction: Patient health literacy is paramount for optimal outcomes. The Service Learning Project (SLP) aims to merge the need for patient education with the desire of medical students for early clinical experience.

Methods: This pretest-posttest study examined the effect of the SLP on medical students. First-year students spent 8 h each month educating inpatients and screening for social determinants of health (SDH). Students completed a 30-question survey pre- and post-SLP, and longitudinally throughout medical school. We used t-tests to assess changes in attitudes towards surgery, clinical confidence, and SDH screening.

Results: Student self-perceived value on surgical teams increased significantly (2.49 vs 3.63 post-SLP, p < 0.001), as did their confidence interacting with patients (3.66-4.14, p = 0.002) and confidence assessing for SDH (3.13-4.75, p = 0.002). 100% of students continued to assess for SDH on clerkships.

Conclusions: The SLP model improves medical students' skills and confidence working with patients and addressing SDH.

Keywords: Medical student education; Service learning; Social determinants of health.