Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (Jan 2023)
Learning Outcomes from Participation in Student-Run Health Clinics: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Oliver WA Wilson,1– 3 Patrick Broman,1 Ema Tokolahi,1,4 Patrea Andersen,1,5,6 Sharon Brownie1,7,8 1Centre for Health and Social Practice, Waikato Institute of Technology Te Pūkenga, Hamilton, New Zealand; 2Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; 3Te Hau Kori, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand; 4School of Occupational Therapy, Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga, Dunedin, New Zealand; 5School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia; 6School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs QLD, Australia; 7School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Hawthorne, VIC, Australia; 8School of Medicine & Dentistry, Griffith University, Brisbane QLD, AustraliaCorrespondence: Sharon Brownie, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Hawthorne, VIC, Australia, Email [email protected]: Student-run clinics (SRCs) offer unique opportunities for students to engage in healthcare delivery, but the student learning outcomes of such clinics have not yet been systematically examined in a comprehensive manner. The purpose of this review was to appraise and synthesize existing literature pertaining to student learning outcomes associated with participation in SRCs. A systematic review was undertaken using PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases. The quality of articles that met inclusion criteria articles was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Study details, such as learning outcomes, were also extracted. Ninety-two studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in North America (n = 73, 79.3%), and related to clinics involving solely medical students (n = 35, 38.0%) or multi-professional clinics (n = 34, 37.0%). Demonstrated learning outcomes of SRC participation include clinical skills, interprofessional skills, empathy/compassion for underserved patients, and leadership. SRC participation had little apparent impact on students’ future career directions. Quality appraisal via the MMAT found mixed levels of research quality amongst reviewed studies. In summary, while SRC participation appears to offer benefits for student learning, improved study design and research outside of North American contexts would further advance knowledge.Keywords: healthcare, undergraduate education, interprofessional education, multidisciplinary research, health workforce, student-led clinics, student-run, student-assisted
