Medical Students’ Child Health Experience in Primary Schools

Abstract

This study was designed to explore medical students' and primary school teachers' experiences of a new community teaching project. Academic staff and students from the School of Medicine Dundee, National Health Service partners, local education department, and primary school teachers engaged in a collaborative project which has embedded community engagement in the curriculum while encouraging interprofessional education through multiagency working. Influenced by evaluative inquiry, this qualitative study used an online questionnaire, designed to give participants the freedom to respond, and give their own opinions, via free text responses. The results show the value of a real primary school-based situation, and the merit of experiential learning gained throughout the program, in which students interacted with children about health promotion in a meaningful way. The interprofessional and collaborative nature of the project enhanced the value of the experience for all participants in relation to the benefits of teamwork, dispelling the doctor authority and recognition of the roles of others. The experience was an interactive, enjoyable, and expressive way to facilitate learning, and has helped prepare the health care students for future practice.

Building partnerships with local schools

“…Service learning has been shown to support understanding of complex topics, teamworking skills, communication skills, leadership and a sense of social justice. 6,9 Some initiatives, like ours, have involved collaboration with schools, 7,10,11 but to our best knowledge, the majority are based in primary schools.…”

“…Service learning could help address these needs. 7 It involves learning through active participation in service opportunities that address community needs and priorities, 8 with mutual benefits for all partners. Service learning has been shown to support understanding of complex topics, teamworking skills, communication skills, leadership and a sense of social justice.…”

“…Service learning could help address these needs 7 . It involves learning through active participation in service opportunities that address community needs and priorities, 8 with mutual benefits for all partners.…”