SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Learning Together: Implementing Medical Student Experiential Learning Through Patient Education

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This project explored whether involving medical students in patient education during internal medicine rotations could improve both patient understanding and student confidence. The background argues that while physicians are responsible for educating patients, medical students can help reinforce this teaching, benefiting both patients and their own learning.<br /><br />A root cause analysis suggested two main problems: patients may have poor understanding of their diagnoses and treatments, which can reduce adherence, and medical students often feel underused on the team. The goal was to improve student education by encouraging them to teach patients about their medical conditions and treatment regimens.<br /><br />The intervention included orienting students to patient education during the first week of their rotation, giving them a handout with teaching ideas and resources, and meeting weekly with a research team member for feedback and progress review. Students completed a short survey before orientation and again at the end of the rotation to assess their comfort educating patients about disease, treatment, and social determinants of health.<br /><br />Results showed statistically significant improvement in all three survey areas, indicating increased confidence in patient education. The largest gains occurred after the initial 8-week cycle following a one-week trial run. The effect varied depending on where students were in their third year, and disruptions such as electronic medical record downtime and vacation periods appeared to reduce the intervention’s effectiveness.<br /><br />The authors conclude that this structured program positively affects medical student confidence in patient education. Future plans include expanding the model to residency training and evaluating whether it improves resident and attending satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and patient adherence to treatment.

Asset Subtitle

Dominick M. Myers

Meta Tag

Author List Brad Haupts, Dominick M. Myers, Eva Holland, Josh Babbin, Stephen Toth, Venkata Andukuri

Category Research

Concept Patient Education

Concept Compliance

Concept Medical Student Training

Concept Learner Confidence

Concept Care Outcome

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Creighton University

Presenting Author Dominick M. Myers

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

medical students

patient education

internal medicine rotation

student confidence

teaching intervention

patient understanding

treatment adherence

survey results

social determinants of health

clinical training

Patient Education

Compliance

Medical Student Training

Learner Confidence

Care Outcome