Children with cancer and medical students teach each other

A medical student group and a pediatric oncology staff have united resources to provide a unique opportunity for patients and students. This article describes a program that matches first- and second-year medical students with individual children who have cancer or another chronic illness. Modeled after the traditional "Big Brother/Big Sister" programs, this program has two purposes: (1) to provide medical students with a better understanding of the issues concerning patients with chronic illness and their families, and (2) to provide individual emotional support for young patients while, coincidentally, offering some relief for their parents. Students in the early academic years of medical school are given an opportunity to develop a relationship with a patient, and patients can develop a relationship with a responsible adult who is concerned as much about friendship and companionship as about a patient and illness.