1. Comparing a longitudinal integrated clerkship with traditional hospital-based rotations in a rural setting.
- Author
-
Caygill, Rebecca, Peardon, Mia, Waite, Catherine, and Wright, Julian
- Subjects
MEDICAL education ,INTERNSHIP programs ,LONGITUDINAL method ,YOUNG adults ,ADULTS ,HIGHER education ,LEARNING strategies ,MEDICAL students ,MEDICAL specialties & specialists ,RURAL conditions ,SOCIAL isolation ,STUDENT attitudes ,CLINICAL competence ,EDUCATION - Abstract
Context:Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LIC) are widely used as an educational method, particularly in rural areas. They are good for facilitating hands-on learning and deep relationships between student, patients, and supervisors. Objectives:This study sought to examine and compare learning experience of third-year rural medical students studying specialties (women’s health, aged care, child and adolescent heath, mental health, general practice) by either a traditional hospital-based rotation or a LIC in a rural general practice setting. Methods:Data was collected from two groups of rural students (LIC; traditional hospital-based) over two academic years, utilizing focus groups to investigate general experiences of living and learning rurally, within the different educational models. Results:Results reaffirmed that there was no perceived academic disadvantage to studying medicine rurally. Studying medicine in a rural area provides increased access to patients, more hands-on experience, and close relationships with patients and colleagues. LIC students reported increased confidence in clinical skills, felt better prepared for internship, however experienced more social isolation than students in hospital-based rotations. Conclusions:Students undergoing a rural LIC feel more confident in their clinical skills and preparedness for practice than other rural students. This study supports the use of LICs as a powerful educational tool. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF