How we incorporated service learning into a medical student rural clinical training experience

Background: Many medical schools have developed admission policies and clinical training programs designed to address the rural physician workforce shortages in their state.

Aim: To enhance medical student rural clinical training experiences, and assist in preparing students for living and working in rural communities.

Methods: As part of their Rural Track Clerkship (RTC) Program, the University of Missouri School of Medicine developed the Community Integration Program (CIP). Students, individually or in groups, voluntarily identify a health need and implement a community-based project to meet that need.

Results: From 2007 to 2013, 80 (53%) students participated in the CIP and 86% completed the 11-item post-experience questionnaire. After the experience, participants reported a deeper understanding of the broad impact of a rural physician and the impact of rural culture on physician interactions. Participants reported they felt more integrated into the community, had a greater understanding of community health needs and resources, and were more likely to participate in future community service activities.

Conclusions: The CIP exposes students to rural culture and helps them understand community health needs. Replication of this program can increase student interest in rural medicine and better prepare students for rural practice.