Medical Students as Partners: A trend of student engagement in the current era
Medical Students as Partners: A trend of student engagement in the current era
AmirAli Moodi Ghalibaf,1,*Keivan Lashkari,2
1. Student Committee of Medical Education Development, Education Development Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran 2. Student Committee of Medical Education Development, Education Development Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Introduction: Over the years, medical education has emerged as a crucial area of study, preparing individuals who can significantly impact human health and well-being, both directly and indirectly. A comprehensive understanding of medical students' activities reveals that they engage in a variety of curricular and extracurricular pursuits. These extracurricular activities extend beyond purely educational endeavors, encompassing a diverse array of interests such as research, innovation, and social engagement. However, the novel hypothesis is going to introduce medical students as partners in their learning systems and approaches who pass the way along to their teachers. The present study is going to review the potential role and acts of medical students as partners in their educational process.
Methods: To determine the aims of the present study, a comprehensive systematic search was conducted through electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science with the keywords “Medical Education”, “Medical Students”, “Students as Partners”, and other related MeSH terms up to August 2024. Original studies, review studies, and references of the review studies were included. Finally, the studies that indicate the aspects of the medical students' partnership in their educational process were reviewed.
Results: According to the reviewed studies, the following aspects can be stated for the make the medical students as partners in educational process; collaborative learning (as interdisciplinary teams: Medical students often collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, and other healthcare students to gain a holistic view of patient care; and peer teaching: They can teach each other about different specialties or skills, fostering a collaborative learning environment.), Research Contributions (as clinical research: Students can assist in conducting clinical trials, collecting data, and analyzing results, contributing to advancements in medical knowledge; and quality improvement projects: They can participate in initiatives aimed at improving patient care processes within healthcare settings.), patient advocacy (as community engagement: Medical students often engage in community health initiatives, advocating for patient needs and health education; and patient-centered care: Involving students in patient care discussions can enhance communication and ensure that patients' voices are heard.), innovation and technology (as health tech development: Students can partner with tech developers to create innovative solutions for healthcare challenges; and telemedicine initiatives: They may help implement telehealth services, improving access to care for underserved populations.), feedback mechanisms (as curriculum development: Student input can be invaluable in shaping medical education curricula to better prepare future healthcare providers; and quality assurance: Their perspectives on patient care can help identify areas for improvement in healthcare delivery.), and leadership development (as leadership roles: Medical students can take on leadership positions in student organizations, helping to shape policies and initiatives that impact their peers and the community; and mentorship opportunities: Engaging with mentors in clinical settings allows students to develop leadership skills while contributing to the education of others.)
Conclusion: In conclusion, by actively participating as partners in various aspects of healthcare, medical students not only enhance their own learning experiences but also contribute significantly to the improvement of patient care and the healthcare system as a whole. This partnership fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in medical practice.
Keywords: Medical Education, Medical Student, Students as Partners, Partnership