Continuing education for medical students: a library model

• Published in: Journal of the Medical Library Association Vol. 103; no. 4; pp. 203 - 207
• Main Authors: Swanberg, Stephanie M, Engwall, Keith, Mi, Misa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Medical Library Association 01.10.2015; University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
• Subjects: Analysis; Case Studies; Continuing medical education; Core curriculum; Education, Medical, Continuing; Focus Groups; Humans; Information literacy; Librarians; Libraries, Medical; Medical informatics; Medical libraries; Models, Organizational; Participation; Qualitative Research; Quality; Seminars; Students; Students, Medical; Studies; Study and teaching; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching; User training; United States; United States > US; Information Literacy; Medical Subject Headings: Students, Medical; Focus Groups; Education, Continuing; Teaching
• ISSN: 1536-5050; 1558-9439
• DOI: 10.3163/1536-5050.103.4.009

The research assessed a three-year continuing medical education-style program for medical students in a Midwestern academic medical library. A mixed methods approach of a survey and two focus groups comparing attendees versus non-attendees assessed the program. Eleven students participated in the focus groups. Attendance was driven by topic interest and lunch. Barriers included lack of interest, scheduling, location, and convenience. Although attendance was a challenge, students valued opportunities to learn new skills. This study show cases a reproducible method to engage students outside the curriculum.