Medical students’ participation in the Volunteering Program during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study about motivation and the development of new competencies

Abstract

Background Considering evidence on competency-based curricula and the benefits of volunteering, this study highlights innovative ideas to improve medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the motivations and perceptions of competencies developed as leadership and management skills in medical students who joined the COVID-19 Volunteering Program in a Brazilian medical school. Methods We performed a cross-sectional, qualitative study involving medical students from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. They were invited to participate in an institutional Volunteering Program during the pandemic and filled out online application forms, including sociodemographic fields and two open-ended questions about their motivation to volunteer and perceptions of their own competencies. At the end of the program, students who were involved in management-related activities were also invited to participate in focus group interviews to track their perceptions about volunteering in this area. Data were submitted to descriptive and content analysis methods. All participants provided informed consent with electronic signatures. Results A total of 286 medical students subscribed to the Volunteering Program: 171 (60%) were men, 152 (53%) were enrolled in their 5th year of medical school, and 158 (55%) were 23-25 years old. One hundred and twelve (44%) students reported that they were motivated by altruistic reasons, 95 (37%) reported duty and 47 (19%) prioritized academic interests. Concerning CanMEDS competencies, 91 (36%) students’ responses matched the Scholar component, followed by 51 (20%) with Collaborator, 49 (20%) with Professional, 32 (13%) with Communicator, 17 (7%) with Leader and 11 (4%) with Health Advocate. In focus groups, students reported the importance of management and leadership skills as a curricular component, motivations to volunteer, and acquired skills from volunteering in management and leadership-related activities, thereby indicating the development of resilient attitudes. Conclusions Students who participated in the School of Medicine of University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP) Volunteering Program reported being motivated to help others (altruistic reasons) and to serve society as future health professionals (duty). Knowledge and work-related competencies prevailed over leadership or soft skills, emphasizing the importance of including such activities in the curriculum. Participating in management-related activities could help develop a more resilient attitude toward medical training. Volunteering programs offer students opportunities to develop competencies essential for their roles as future health professionals. Thus, we should think about including such activities in the curricular structure.

Volunteer Engagement in a Stroke Self-Management Program: Qualitative Analysis of a Hybrid Team of Healthcare Providers and Trained Volunteers

“…In this program, about half of the volunteers were pursuing a health-related discipline and viewed the exchange of information about care after stroke as beneficial to their studies; they also perceived it as offering an opportunity to practise skills such as communication. Similar benefits have been reported in studies examining the perceptions of nursing or medical students participating in volunteer services [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Indeed, volunteering has been increasingly viewed as a supplement to health education, wherein students are allowed to experience real-life problems by working with people with health problems.…”

“…Indeed, volunteering has been increasingly viewed as a supplement to health education, wherein students are allowed to experience real-life problems by working with people with health problems. Such exposure has also been regarded as an alternative teaching and learning tool that can improve student competency, especially given their limited clinical exposure during the coronavirus pandemic [ 24 , 25 ]. Future studies should explore the effects of volunteering on the development of competencies in healthcare students.…”

Experiences and expectations of receiving volunteer services among home‐based elderly in Chinese urban areas: A qualitative study

“…Volunteers should be aware of the diversity and individualization of service formats, such as face‐to‐face interaction or remote technology 48 . Furthermore, to meet the needs of the elderly, volunteers should improve their personal qualities, broaden their knowledge and insight and form relationships with groups of elderly people that might be in need of their services 22 . Therefore, before providing assistance services, volunteers should identify the actual needs of the elderly and determine what help or support to offer them based on their advantages.…”

“… 48 Furthermore, to meet the needs of the elderly, volunteers should improve their personal qualities, broaden their knowledge and insight and form relationships with groups of elderly people that might be in need of their services. 22 Therefore, before providing assistance services, volunteers should identify the actual needs of the elderly and determine what help or support to offer them based on their advantages. Meanwhile, to maximize service benefits, the urgency of the issue of assistance for the elderly should be assessed to develop a phased service plan.…”

“…For example, volunteers benefit others, which the elderly prefer 21 . Volunteers are also eager to learn and master new skills and knowledge to have a multidisciplinary background and are flexible in adapting to individualized needs 22 . As a consequence, it is critical to actively promote the popularization of volunteer services among the elderly.…”