Successful Implementation of a Resident Liaison to Medical Students in Emergency Medicine Rotations

As the role of the resident-as-teacher grows, some residents are inspired to develop themselves early as leaders in education while in training. We describe the successful implementation of a resident liaison (RL) to medical students in emergency medicine (EM) as a way to develop resident leaders in medical education.

This position was implemented to develop interested residents as leaders in medical education and to provide medical students access to an EM physician who is closer to their training level and may be more approachable than the clerkship director. RLs are mentored by the clerkship director and are involved in curricular programming and education research.

This innovation has strengthened our student EM rotations and has provided residents with a unique opportunity to explore a career in medical education. Residents have made tangible contributions to our educational programming in this role and have pursued careers in medical education. The program has been recognized as a "best practice" by students and the school of medicine.

The RL initiative has conferred significant benefits to residents and medical students. Implementation of a RL program may benefit EM rotations outside of our institution and perhaps outside of the EM specialty.