Combined research and clinical learning make Rural Summer Studentship Program a successful model

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Rural Health Research
• Community-Based Learning

Background:

• Medical schools aim to offer practical research and rural learning experiences.
• Rural physicians often possess research ideas but lack necessary support or skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Rural Summer Studentship Program (RSSP) at The University of Western Ontario.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in combining rural health research with clinical learning for medical students.

Main Methods:

• The RSSP program placed medical students in rural communities for 8-week summer research and clinical learning experiences.
• Students received support including secretarial coordination, research assistance, and faculty supervision.
• The program ran from 1999-2003, involving 44 students and over 30 preceptors across more than 20 communities.

Main Results:

• 44 students participated, with 8 completing two summers.
• Student research resulted in publications and conference presentations.
• Participants reported increased interest and knowledge in rural medicine and patient care, rating the program highly.

Conclusions:

• The RSSP model offers a successful and highly-valued integration of supported medical student research and clinical immersion in rural settings.
• The program effectively addresses the need for rural research opportunities and experiences for medical students.