Abstract: SA-PO928
Enhancing Learning and Interest in Nephrology among United States Medical Students
Session Information
- Educational Research
November 04, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Category: Nephrology Education
- 1301 Educational Research
Authors
- Shah, Hitesh H., Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Great Neck, New York, United States
- Uppal, Nupur N., Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Great Neck, New York, United States
- Jhaveri, Kenar D., Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Great Neck, New York, United States
Background
Interest in nephrology careers remains low among United States (US) medical graduates. The type of nephrology elective that US medical students experience may play an important role in creating and enhancing interest in nephrology career.
Methods
A redesigned 4-week nephrology elective was created at our institution for US medical students. Our redesigned elective included both 2-week inpatient (IP) and 2-week outpatient (OP) nephrology experiences. The OP rotation included 10 half-days of various nephrology clinic experiences, 2 half-days of immediate post-transplant clinic, 1 half-day of kidney donor evaluation clinic, 2 half-days of PD clinic and 3 half-days of outpatient HD rounding. Our redesigned elective also included educational conferences. To evaluate the elective experience, all medical students were asked to complete an on-line survey following the completion of their rotation.
Results
From July 2012 to April 2017, nineteen 4th year medical students (from 14 different US medical schools) completed our redesigned elective. All students responded to our survey. All reported adequate OP nephrology experience during their elective. 84% of the students had worked with 1 or 2 faculty members during the IP setting. In comparison, 90% were exposed to at least 4 different faculty members during the OP experiences. All students had interacted with at least 3 fellows. All reported that the elective experience enhanced their exposure and knowledge in nephrology. They also thought that this elective structure provided them with a better insight into what nephrologists do in practice. 84% of the students reported that this elective experience created an interest in nephrology career. Majority (68%) of the students responded that they would consider nephrology as one of their 3 top career choices as a result of this elective experience.
Conclusion
Measures to enhance learning and interest in nephrology among medical students are needed. We believe that the restructured elective provides the medical student with a much needed and realistic exposure to nephrology careers. Based on our experience, we recommend nephrology training programs to consider this elective structure for medical students.