Developing Leadership and Advocacy Skills in Medical Students Through Service Learning

Abstract

A curriculum in advocacy and leadership skills that includes an intensive, community-based service learning experience is effective at increasing student empowerment and disposition toward community service.

What impact does community service learning have on medical students' appreciation of population health?

“…As in other reports in the literature, (Long et al, 2011;Meili et al, 2011;Liang En et al, 2011;Chastony et al, 2013) our students reported that the community component was a stimulating, enjoyable and positive experience. It provided them with skills and knowledge of the local community and population that could not be gained from formal lectures.…”

Training socially responsive health care graduates: Is service learning an effective educational approach?

“…For example Groh et al (2011) found that nursing students (n = 306) had a significant positive change in self-rated leadership skills following a SL experience, while Long et al (2011) reported no change in medical students' perceived effectiveness, willingness or understanding of leadership skills despite a greater appreciation of leadership roles.…”

“…SL projects are designed, implemented and evaluated collaboratively with the intent of applying students' theory to practice while simultaneously targeting community identified needs. A number of studies (Burrows et al, 1999;Peterson & Schaffer, 1999;Beling, 2003;Bentley & Ellison, 2005;Goldberg et al, 2006;Johnson, 2007;Neill et al, 2007;Casey & Murphy, 2008;Kearney, 2008;Dauenhauer et al, 2010;Liang En et al, 2011b;Long et al, 2011;Pakulski, 2011;Reading & Padgett, 2011;Vogt et al, 2011;Zucchero, 2011) found that students gained a deeper understanding and application of knowledge through SL projects and experiences.…”

“…Many studies identified the need for long-term follow-up (e.g. Green et al, 2011;Long et al, 2011;Liang En et al, 2011a;Zucchero, 2011); however, only a minority (Burrows et al, 1999;Leung et al, 2011) described outcomes over time. This gap creates uncertainty about the long term effect and effectiveness of SL, another key focus for future research.…”

“…Key issues identified and reported in a number of studies (e.g. Burrows et al, 1999;Elam et al, 2003;Williams & Reeves, 2004;Bentley & Ellison, 2005;Amerson, 2010;McMenamin et al, 2010;Green et al, 2011;Casey & Murphy, 2008;Groh et al, 2011;Long et al, 2011;Zucchero, 2011) include: (i) self-awareness, (ii) communication skills, (iii) leadership skills, (iv) capacity to accept and tolerate diversity, (iv) cultural competence, and (vi) capacity to connect and build relationships with others.…”