Research Mentor Name
Jennifer Mendez
Research Mentor Email Address
ag3928@wayne.edu
Institution / Department
Wayne State University
Document Type
Research Abstract
Research Type
medicaleducation
Level of Research
no
Abstract
Background:
Personal and professional development (PPD) is a competency domain for graduated U.S. medical students. Current research shows that PPD is lowest at transitional periods, such as the transition from preclinical to clinical training.
Methods:
To assess professional development at a large, allopathic medical school, a survey with seven statements regarding professional development was formed. The statements encompassed domains of mentorship, communication skills, professionalism, team work, and innovation and asked students to rank each statement from 1-5 (1 - highly deficient, 5 - highly proficient). The online, anonymous survey was emailed to all second year medical students at Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) (n=303) over a 2-month time period after completion of a Service Learning course that fostered professional development and taught about the social determinants of health.
Results:
114 (37.6%) students responded to the survey. Overall, students reported feeling most proficient in working with people from different backgrounds (average = 3.91) and least proficient in seeking advice from advisors and mentors (3.27). On average, students felt proficient or highly proficient in all categories.
Conclusion:
Overall, students felt their professional skills improved after the Service Learning course, and in general felt most proficient in team-based competencies. These preliminary results indicate a need for empowering students to seek advice from mentors. Guidance is especially crucial when students are facing transition periods. There is also room for improvement in teaching students to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and courage. It is also important to continue monitoring professional development over the course of clinical rotations to prevent declines in competencies.
Disciplines
Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences
Recommended Citation
Croniger, Bridget; Grudzien, Mikaela; Imtiaz, Rubab; and Mendez, Jennifer, "Professional Development of Medical Students Transitioning from Preclinical to Clinical Training " (2023). Medical Student Research Symposium. 261.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/261