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. 2021 Feb 9;31(2):365-369.
doi: 10.1007/s40670-021-01225-x. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Student Response Initiatives: A Case Study of COVID-19 at Washington University

Christopher J Chermside-Scabbo #  1   2   3 , Katherine Douglas #  1   4 , Cyrus Ghaznavi  1 , Bruin Pollard #  1 , Sharon Abada  1 , Jared V Goodman  1   2 , Nicole Migotsky  5 , Kay Park  1   2 , Haley Sherburne  1 , Audrey Coolman  6 , Eva M Aagaard  7 , Steven J Lawrence  8
Affiliations

Student Response Initiatives: A Case Study of COVID-19 at Washington University

Christopher J Chermside-Scabbo et al. Med Sci Educ. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical education worldwide, leading medical students to organize response initiatives. This paper summarizes the Washington University Medical Student COVID-19 Response (WUMS-CR) and shares lessons to guide future initiatives. We used a three-principle framework of community needs assessment, faculty mentorship, and partnership with pre-existing organizations to address needs in St. Louis, including contact tracing and childcare. In total, over 12,000 h were volunteered across 15+ projects. Overall, student response initiatives should use appropriate frameworks to guide projects and should capitalize on volunteer participation, speed and flexibility, and the diversity of student interests and skills for maximal impact.

Keywords: COVID-19; Community Service; Medical Student Response; Volunteering.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of events for the Washington University Medical Student COVID-19 Response (WUMS-CR) in the context of broader events
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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