Pairing students on the wards: The effect on the clerkship learning environment

Medical students are often paired together on clinical teams during their clerkships, but the effect of this practice is unknown. We conducted a survey study to determine student perceptions and attitudes regarding being paired on the same team with a classmate.

We conducted semi-structured interviews and utilized thematic analysis to develop themes for survey design. We then designed and administered a survey to the graduating class of 2018 at Harvard Medical School.

One hundred students participated in the survey (60% response). The majority of students perceived that pairing impacted their clerkship evaluations. Pairing was perceived to positively impact learning, adjustment to the clerkship, enjoyment, wellness and the overall clerkship experience. However, stress related to grading and evaluation as well as competition for patients were cited as negative impacts. Students in our sample were split on their preferences for working alone or with another student on a clinical team.

Student pairing is a common practice that affects the learning environment in clinical clerkships. Further study of interactions between students on medical teams as well as interventions to raise the positive value of pairing while limiting its negative impact may enhance the clerkship learning environment.