Service-Learning Programs and Projects for Medical Students Engaged With the Community.

Introduction The medical school curriculum has changed from using the term "pedagogy" to framing adult learning theories with the goal of applying knowledge to a clinical situation or real-life experiences. Service-learning programs (SLPs) in medical schools illustrate one of several adult learning principles and practices now used in today's curriculum that better prepare medical students for working with a variety of patients.  Objective The researchers' aim was to assess medical students' learning experiences while participating with nonprofit organizations during a curricula-designed SLP. Method The authors analyzed 60 reflective essays over a three-year academic period from 192 medical students placed in teams of two to four. A qualitative study with a thematic analysis research design was employed in our study. This iterative approach allowed the researchers to identify themes and interpret meaning. The study was completed in 2020 using data from 2017-2020. Results Four major themes and one overarching theme emerged that reflect adult learning theories including: (1) transfer learning of one's skills and knowledge to community and practice; (2) articulate a variety of ways to communicate with multiple, diverse community audiences; (3) employ a creative process for quality improvement strategies; (4) create positive trusting and rewarding relationships that highlight an enhanced level of conduct and professionalism. An overarching theme found was: collaboration emerges almost without forethought. Medical educators may find that replicating this SLP into the curriculum infrastructure provides agency and student buy-in. We established an SLP as part of the medical school curriculum that brings privilege and reward to students and to the community. Reflection provides for meaningfulness from SLP and helps students identify how experiential learning affects their professional development as members of the community and future health care providers. Conclusion Implementing SLPs into any medical school curriculum strengthens the adult learning theoretical delivery approach. Disseminating projects and lessons learned to and from the community also showcases experiential learning opportunities for medical students and other professionals. Many aspects of awareness from the medical students' engagement during the SLP emerged. They learned about specific aspects of community engagement and found it a privilege to give and take many lessons from the experiences and opportunities.

First do no 'pharm': Educating medical and pharmacy students on the essentials of medication management.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is a dilemma in modern medical practice and presents an opportunity for interprofessional collaboration. Our pilot project evaluated whether implementing an interprofessional education (IPE) session would influence awareness of interprofessional values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, communication, and teams/teamwork. INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY: A dual-institution, multi-part IPE session on medication management was implemented with medicine and pharmacy students. Part 1 consisted of a pillbox exercise whereby students simulated the patient experience of taking medications. Part 2 was an interprofessional medication reconciliation exercise with a standardized patient. After completing the session, students were asked to reflect on their experience in response to a prompt. Reflections were analyzed qualitatively for overarching themes. DISCUSSION: This pilot uniquely captured the interaction between medical and pharmacy students from neighboring institutions. After completing the IPE session, both groups of students felt they were better equipped to take a medication history, perform medication reconciliation, and understand the value of a community pharmacist. Major themes elicited from reflections included: (1) increased awareness of barriers to medication adherence, (2) increased empathy towards adults with polypharmacy, (3) appreciation for the interprofessional team, and (4) realization of the importance of medication reconciliation and patient understanding of their medications. IMPLICATIONS: The collaboration between institutions, located at a distance from one another, demonstrates a novel approach that can be used by others to facilitate IPE. All students gained experience interacting in an interprofessional setting simulating their future practice(s). Future studies are needed to evaluate the extent of those interactions and potential outcomes.