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Evaluation of an outreach education model over five years: Perception of dental students and their outreach clinical mentors
Author(s) -
Leisnert L.,
Redmo Emanuelsson I.,
Papia E.,
Ericson D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1600-0579
pISSN - 1396-5883
DOI - 10.1111/eje.12189
Subject(s) - outreach , medical education , curriculum , perception , medicine , psychology , family medicine , pedagogy , neuroscience , political science , law
The objective was to investigate changes in students' and clinical mentors' perceptions of a model for outreach education over a 5‐year period, 2006–2010. Material and method Two cohorts of last‐year students of a dental problem‐based curriculum and their clinical mentors in the Public Dental Service ( PDS ) were invited to respond to a questionnaire. In 2006, 85% of 54 students and 72% of their 54 mentors responded; 98% of 40 students and 88% of 41 of the mentors did so in 2010. Participants scored their level of agreement with different statements on a numeric rating scale and gave comments. Results Dental students and their clinical mentors reported that they shared a consistent and favourable perception of this outreach education model over 5 years. The students reported increased professional confidence and self‐reliance. Clinical mentors expressed a transfer of knowledge to their clinics. Differences in scoring were seen between students and mentors for two statements in 2006 and two statements in 2010 ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The current model for outreach education received favourable and stable ratings over the 5‐year period. This model resulted in that students perceived that they became self‐reliant, which may facilitate their transition from being a student to becoming a professional. The current model supports exchange and professional development for students, faculty and outreach clinics. This leads us to look at outreach education as an opportunity to form a mutual learning community comprised of the outreach clinics and the dental school.