Medical and pharmacy student concerns about participating on international service-learning trips

BMC Medical Education

Research Article

Diane L. Levine¹  Siddique H. Khatri¹  Silpa Masineni¹  Vineela Chikkam¹  Naveen Trehan¹  Amber Khan¹  Chih Chuang²  Manpal S. Gill³  Guillaume G. Farah³ 

[1] Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 4201 St. Antoine, University Health Center 2E, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA;Department of Medical Education, Wayne State University, 320 East Canfield, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA;Wayne State University, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA;

关键词: Student concerns;    Service learning trips;    Global health trips;    Short-term medical service trips;    Medical missions;    Medical volunteerism;    Medical students;    Pharmacy students;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-015-0519-7

 received in 2015-07-08, accepted in 2015-12-16,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundInternational Service Learning Trips (ISLT) provide health professional students the opportunity to provide healthcare, under the direction of trained faculty, to underserved populations in developing countries. Despite recent increases in international service learning trips, there is scant literature addressing concerns students have prior to attending such trips. This study focuses on identifying concerns before and after attending an ISLT and their impact on students.MethodsA survey comprised of closed and open-ended questions was developed to elucidate student concerns prior to attending an ISLT and experiences which might influence concerns. A five-point Likert-scale (extremely concerned = 1, minimally concerned = 5) was used to rate apprehension and satisfaction. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-trip concerns; Chi-Square test was used to compare groups.ResultsThirty-five students (27 medical, 8 pharmacy) attended ISLTs in December 2013. All completed pre and post-trip surveys. Significant decreases were seen in concerns related to cultural barriers (4.14 vs 4.46, P = .047), disease/epidemics (3.34 vs 4.60, P < .001), natural disasters (3.94 vs 4.94, P < .001), terrorism (4.34 vs 4.94, P < .001), travel (3.86 vs 4.51, P < .001) monetary issues (3.80 vs 4.60, P < .001), hospitality (3.94 vs 4.74, P = .001) and food (3.83 vs 4.60, P < .001). Language and group dynamics remained concerns post-trip. On open-ended questions, students described benefits of attending an ISLT.ConclusionsStudents had multiple concerns prior to attending an ISLT. Most decreased upon return. Addressing concerns has the potential to decrease student apprehension. The results of this study highlight the benefits of providing ISLTs and supporting development of a curriculum incorporating trip-related concerns.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Chuang et al. 2015