Designing, Implementation and Evaluation of “Student as Teacher” Elective Course for Undergraduate Students at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University

Abstract

Background: Student as teacher programs are training courses designed aiming to motivate students in medical education and provide them with the fundamental expertise of the teachers. Objective: The aim of the current study was to develop a framework for introducing "Student as Teacher" course as one of the essential training programs for all of the undergraduate students as a step to enable the future graduates to be professional educators. Subjects and methods:The present study is a descriptive/quasi-experimental one that included 37 first-year medical students assessing the difference in their knowledge, skills and attitude before and after the implementation of the "Student as Teacher" course at FOM-SCU. A 6-weeks course was designed and implemented addressing several topics. Students' satisfaction regarding the course was also assessed through structured self-administered questionnaires that evaluate the course. Results: A significant difference between the students' scores in the pre and post-tests was detected and there was 100% satisfied with the course. Conclusion: There is a need to include a "Student as Teacher" course in the undergraduate curriculum at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University as it improves the knowledge, skills and attitude of the first-year students regarding their teaching skills as a significant difference between their scores in the pre and post-tests was detected.