Student-run free clinics may enhance medical students’ self-confidence in their clinical skills and preparedness for clerkships

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) offer medical students a unique opportunity to develop their clinical, diagnostic, and social skills while providing care to medically underserved communities. This study aims to evaluate the value of SRFC involvement on students’ self-reported confidence in various clinical domains and satisfaction with their medical education. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective pre-post assessment at an urban academic institution among second- to fourth-year medical students. We administered a 25-item questionnaire capturing the scope of clinic involvement and assessing self-reported confidence in multiple clinical domains following a one-year-long participation in student-run free clinics. Results Fifty-six students completed the survey. Participation in SRFCs significantly increased self-reported confidence in patient history-taking (p < 0.001), performing oral presentations (p < 0.001) and physical exams (p < 0.001). Students also reported significantly greater confidence in working with translators (p < 0.001) or as part of an interprofessional team (p < 0.001) and understanding the needs of the population served (p < 0.001). Students also found SRCs to significantly improve their confidence in preparedness for clerkships (p < 0.001). SRFC involvement can improve medical students’ confidence in their clinical and interpersonal skills and enhance preparedness for clerkships and working with diverse patient groups. Conclusion SRFCs are a useful tool in the medical school curriculum that help bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinic and may encourage practice in medically underserved communities. SRFCs also integrate classroom material and clinical practice, although standardized evaluation metrics need to be developed. SRFCs should be incorporated as a learning experience by medical schools nationwide.