Becoming 'ward smart' medical students.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professions
• Student Training

Background:

• Few medical students work as health care assistants (HCAs).
• Existing research primarily focuses on HCA experience in nursing students.
• The impact of HCA roles on medical student development is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences and perceptions of medical students who have worked as health care assistants.
• To understand how HCA roles influence medical students' learning and professional development.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving focus groups.
• Participants were fourth-year medical students with self-declared HCA experience.
• Ten students participated in the focus groups.

Main Results:

• HCA experience improved students' ability to navigate the clinical environment ('ward smart').
• Students reported enhanced patient interaction and understanding of multidisciplinary team roles.
• Experience facilitated professional socialization and a sense of belonging within healthcare settings.

Conclusions:

• Health care assistant roles offer significant benefits for medical student learning.
• HCA experience positively impacts crucial aspects of medical training, including empathy and patient-centered care.
• This practical experience helps medical students integrate into clinical communities and enhances their overall professional development.