ERIC Number: EJ1419588
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2731-5525
Developing a Well-Received Pre-Matriculation Program: The Evolution of MedFIT
Alexa Allen; Brandon Conner; Brooke Gantman; Kendal Warner; Ranna Nash; Brady Janes; Megan Hellum; Cherie Singer
Discover Education, v1 n1 Article 12 2022
Background: The transition to medical school marks a very stressful time for matriculating students. Despite this challenging transition period, intellectually rigorous pre-matriculation programs are not a common component of the curriculum at many medical schools across the country. Students are often not given the opportunity to learn about the high expectations of medical school before being thrown into classes. Thus, more time and attention should be devoted to curricular interventions that target this critical window in medical education. Methods: MedFIT is a robust, 1.5-week orientation program that introduces matriculating students to the rigors of medical school in a low-stakes environment. This program provides students with a preview of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) curriculum through hands-on learning sessions in addition to exposing them to extracurricular opportunities and research initiatives. Furthermore, MedFIT connects incoming students with second-year mentors, laying the foundation for longitudinal peer mentorship. Findings: Qualitative survey feedback from each subsequent class has been increasingly positive, demonstrating MedFIT's effectiveness in improving students' academic and interprofessional transitions into medical school. Despite the program's hybrid format in 2020 due to COVID-19, overall ratings were as positive as the previous year. Additionally, students had decreased rates of remediation, repeated years, and withdrawal, and had better Match outcomes when compared to students who participated in UNR Med's previous orientation program. Discussion and conclusions: MedFIT remains a well-received, adaptable entity that is continuously modified every year to best supplement student needs and mirror the pre-clinical curricular landscape present at that time.
Descriptors: Medical Education, School Orientation, Experiential Learning, College Transfer Students, Mentors, Group Guidance, Program Effectiveness, College Readiness
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Nevada (Reno)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A