Students-As-Teachers: Fostering medical educators

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Limited Students-As-Teachers (SAT) electives exist in Canada despite evidence of benefits.
• A 4-week SAT selective was developed for fourth-year medical students at the University of Toronto.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the SAT program's impact on students' development as educators.
• Assess student experiences as learners and educators.
• Examine future involvement in medical education.

Main Methods:

• Interactive small group seminars and teaching in nonclinical/clinical settings.
• Pre- and post-selective surveys and written reflections.
• Theory-based evaluation approach comparing program theory with outcomes.

Main Results:

• Students reported increased knowledge and confidence in teaching, feedback, and medical education scholarship.
• Reflections revealed themes of educator identity formation and mentorship.
• An unexpected outcome was a shift in perspective from learner to educator lens regarding teaching and feedback.

Conclusions:

• SAT curricula effectively build capacity for future medical educators.
• Positive outcomes were linked to cohort size, course structure, and participation.
• Future directions include exploring flipped classroom models and near-peer teaching.