The Growth of Learning Communities in Undergraduate Medical Education

Abstract

The number of medical schools with LCs is increasing rapidly. LCs provide an opportunity to transform medical education through longitudinal relationships and mentoring. Further study is needed to document outcomes and best practices for LCs in medical education.

Medical Student Perceptions of the Learning Environment: Learning Communities Are Associated With a More Positive Learning Environment in a Multi-Institutional Medical School Study

“…Results were confirmed with data from the Learning Communities Institute's national survey, administered from 2011 to 2012. 3 Two authors (S.S., L.D.) used additional descriptors including open-ended responses provided on these surveys to achieve consensus on the presence of an LC in each school.…”

“…3,4 The number of Association of American Medical Colleges institutions that reported having LCs increased nearly threefold, from 18 to 66, over the five years from 2007 to 2012. 3,4 In 2013, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) added an item to Part II of the Annual Medical School Questionnaire asking if students were organized into colleges or mentorship groups at any time during their education. 5 For the 2012-2013 academic year, the number of schools that reported organizing students into colleges or mentorship groups was 93 of 136 (68.4%).…”

“…12,13 Career advising and social gatherings are other common areas of focus for LCs. 3,14,15 LCs have been implemented in an attempt to improve the LE for UME students. 10 The LE encompasses the broad, complex, social, psychological, and educational factors, including physical spaces, that create the overall educational climate.…”

“…2 Although a small number of U.S. medical schools had LCs in the 1970s and 1980s, they have been widely implemented in undergraduate medical education (UME) within the last decade. 3 LCs are referred to in the literature as "colleges, societies, CELLS, and houses" and defined as "intentionally developed longitudinal groups that aim to enhance students' medical school experience and maximize learning." 3,4 The number of Association of American Medical Colleges institutions that reported having LCs increased nearly threefold, from 18 to 66, over the five years from 2007 to 2012.…”

“…3 LCs are referred to in the literature as "colleges, societies, CELLS, and houses" and defined as "intentionally developed longitudinal groups that aim to enhance students' medical school experience and maximize learning." 3,4 The number of Association of American Medical Colleges institutions that reported having LCs increased nearly threefold, from 18 to 66, over the five years from 2007 to 2012. 3,4 In 2013, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) added an item to Part II of the Annual Medical School Questionnaire asking if students were organized into colleges or mentorship groups at any time during their education.…”