Student perspectives on student-led family medicine clinics in Qatar: a descriptive qualitative study

Daher-Nashif, Suhad; Al-Mutawa, Noora Ahmed A. M.; Kalathingal, Mohammed Ali; Saad, Rahma; Bashir, Khalid

Abstract

Background: Student-led clinic is an educational-professional training environment where students are leading the care of patients under the supervision of licensed health care professionals. This study aims to explore medical students’ experiences in leading family medicine clinics in Qatar. Methods: The study used a qualitative descriptive method. To collect the data, the researchers have used semi-structured interviews. To recruit students, a convenience sampling strategy was used by sending a call to participate to all students who completed the rotation and met the inclusion criteria. An inductive thematic analysis was employed to data analysis. Results: Ten students participated in the study. Data analysis revealed six themes. These are: Student led clinic as transitional and transformative stage, Challenges faced by students, coping strategies, protective factors, implications of the experience and students’ reflections for future rotations. The study revealed that students experienced a mixture of anxiety and excitement during the transition to leading clinics. Challenges included patient-related challenges such as language barriers, challenges related to personal skills such as time and knowledge, and institutional challenges that included limited supervisor availability and balancing academic responsibilities with clinic duties. Coping strategies included continuous knowledge revision, seeking advice from colleagues, and employing creative tools to overcome language barriers. Conclusion: Leading family medicine clinics has an impact on students such as enhancing their time management, diagnostic abilities, communication skills, and confidence. Support from supervisors, team members, patients, and colleagues play a crucial role in students’ experiences. This transitional experience supports the shift from self-perception as students perceiving themselves as physicians.

Citation

Daher-Nashif, S., Al-Mutawa, N. A. A. M., Kalathingal, M. A., Saad, R., & Bashir, K. (in press). Student perspectives on student-led family medicine clinics in Qatar: a descriptive qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), Article 1165. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06145-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 4, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 18, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Journal: BMC Medical Education
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 1165
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06145-z
• Keywords: Student-led clinics, Family medicine, Qatar, Medical students, Medical education
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/953015
• Publisher URL: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-024-06145-z