Becoming better health care providers: outcomes of a primary care service-learning project in medical school

J Prev Interv Community. 2006;32(1-2):133-47. doi: 10.1300/J005v32n01_09.

Abstract

Medical educators have begun to embrace service-learning as a method for teaching medical students to be more socially responsible, patient-oriented practitioners. However, research documenting the learning outcomes of service-learning in medical education is limited. In this paper, written documents generated through evaluation of a mandatory, structured community service-learning experience were analyzed qualitatively to discover the diverse learning outcomes among 24 students who participated in the experience. Preliminary findings indicate that students developed skills and attitudes directly related to competencies of concern in most U.S. medical programs. These preliminary findings may help other programs articulate learning outcomes for their service-learning programs. Further, these preliminary findings may stimulate more systematic research (qualitative and quantitative) in this area.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Clerkship*
  • Competency-Based Education*
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate / methods*
  • Faculty, Medical
  • Female
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Educational*
  • Primary Health Care / methods*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychology, Social
  • Qualitative Research
  • Schools, Medical*
  • Social Responsibility
  • Social Welfare*
  • Texas