Factors affecting students' evaluation in a community service-learning program

Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2007 Nov;12(4):475-90. doi: 10.1007/s10459-006-9019-1. Epub 2006 Jul 14.

Abstract

A community service-learning curriculum was established to give students opportunities to understand the interrelationship between family and community health, the differences between community and hospital medicine, and to be able to identify and solve community health problems. Students were divided into small groups to participate in community health works such as home visits etc. under supervision. This study was designed to evaluate the community service-learning program and to understand how students' attitude and learning activities affected students' satisfaction. The results revealed that most medical students had a positive attitude towards social service and citizenship but were conservative towards taking the role to serve people in the community. Students had achieved what they were required to learn especially the training in communication skills and ability to identify social issues. Students' attitude towards social service did not affect their opinions on the quality of the program and subjective rating on their achievement. The quality of the program was related to the quality of learning rated by the students.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Community Health Services*
  • Community Medicine / education*
  • Competency-Based Education / methods*
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate / methods*
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate / trends
  • Family Health
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Institutional Practice
  • Male
  • Program Evaluation / methods
  • Sex Factors
  • Students, Medical / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan
  • Workforce