Relationship of participation in an optional student-run clinic to medical school grades.
BACKGROUND
Medical school is arduous and participating in optional service-learning activities may compete with the required curriculum. The student-run SHARING Clinics at the University of Nebraska are managed by a Board of students who commit to extensive voluntary participation.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether optional service-learning participation resulted in compromised medical school grades.


METHODS
Of 908 students who matriculated between 1999 and 2006, 87 served on the SHARING Board. A 2×2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the grade point averages of Board members and non-members before and after participating on the Board.


RESULTS
The grades for SHARING Board members and non-members were not statistically different. The study had sufficient statistical power to detect even a small effect size.


CONCLUSIONS
Concern about compromised academic performance appears to be an invalid reason to avoid service-learning participation. The benefits of participation appear to outweigh the costs.
Medical Education, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5525, USA. hstoddard@unmc.edu
Hugh A
HA
Stoddard
Justin M
JM
Risma
D000124:Achievement; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D009329:Nebraska; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce