Learning through service: student perceptions on volunteering at interprofessional hepatitis B student-run clinics

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Student-run clinics (SRCs) are prevalent but their educational benefits are understudied.
• Limited research exists on the impact of SRCs on preclinical health professional students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the educational impact of a hepatitis B elective involving volunteer work at SRCs.
• To assess student perceptions of benefits gained from participating in SRCs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to preclinical medical, nursing, and pharmacy students.
• Students reported on their experiences volunteering at hepatitis B screening and vaccination SRCs.

Main Results:

• Students reported positive perceptions of their volunteer experience in SRCs.
• Key benefits included patient interaction, clinical skill development, service to underserved populations, and peer collaboration.
• Participants demonstrated enhanced skills compared to non-participants.

Conclusions:

• SRCs provide significant educational value for health professional students.
• Volunteer experiences in SRCs foster positive attitudes and improve essential clinical skills.