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. 2015 Nov 4:20:28654.
doi: 10.3402/meo.v20.28654. eCollection 2015.

Pre-clinical medical student experience in a pediatric pulmonary clinic

Thomas G Saba  1 , Marc B Hershenson  2 , Manuel Arteta  2 , Ixsy A Ramirez  2 , Patricia B Mullan  3 , Sonal T Owens  2
Affiliations

Pre-clinical medical student experience in a pediatric pulmonary clinic

Thomas G Saba et al. Med Educ Online. .

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the educational value of introducing pre-clinical medical students to pediatric patients and their families in a subspecialty clinic setting.

Methods: First- and second-year medical students at the University of Michigan seeking clinical experience outside of the classroom attended an outpatient pediatric pulmonary clinic. Evaluation of the experience consisted of pre- and post-clinic student surveys and post-clinic parent surveys with statements employing a four-point Likert scale as well as open-ended questions.

Results: Twenty-eight first-year students, 6 second-year students, and 33 parents participated in the study. Post-clinic statement scores significantly increased for statements addressing empathic attitudes, confidence communicating with children and families, comfort in the clinical environment, and social awareness. Scores did not change for statements addressing motivation, a sense of team membership, or confidence with career goals. Students achieved their goals of gaining experience interacting with patients, learning about pulmonary diseases, and observing clinic workflow. Parents felt that they contributed to student education and were not inconvenienced.

Conclusions: Students identified several educational benefits of exposure to a single pediatric pulmonary clinic. Patients and families were not inconvenienced by the participation of a student. Additional studies are warranted to further investigate the value of this model of pre-clinical medical student exposure to subspecialty pediatrics.

Keywords: early clinical experience; pediatrics; pre-clinical education; undergraduate medical education.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pre- and post-clinic student responses to eight statements. Differences between pre- and post-clinic responses were statistically significant for statements a, b, c, f, and g. There was no difference in pre- and post-clinic scores for statements d, e, and h. p<0.05 denotes statistical significance.
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