title: Students mentoring students in a service-learning clinical supervision experience: an educational case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Service-learning projects present the opportunity to combine academic skill practice and peer mentorship with meaningful community service. Implicit learning outcomes include an enhanced understanding of social responsibility and professional development-concepts difficult to teach in the classroom. The purpose of this educational case report is to describe the development, application, and outcomes of a service-learning project designed to facilitate peer mentorship and the development of social responsibility. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROCESS: Widener University mandated that all programs offer student community service opportunities on Martin Luther King Day. In response, the physical therapy program developed a plan to clean and screen assistive and mobility devices and provide blood pressure screening at designated community sites. APPLICATION OF THE PROCESS: All faculty and all members of the first-year and third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) classes participated. The students and a faculty member traveled to designated community sites in teams. First-year students were able to practice newly acquired skills under the supervision and peer mentorship of third-year students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcomes of the service-learning project were assessed through a tally of services rendered, measurement of curricular goal achievement, a survey of the community partners' satisfaction with the event, and consideration of both first-year and third-year DPT student reflection papers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The service-learning project was effective in meeting a community need, enhancing community partner relationships, fostering student understandings of social responsibility, and creating a valuable peer mentorship experience.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013, USA. jblattanzi@mail.widener.edu
authors.forename: Jill Black
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lattanzi
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: Kerstin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Palombaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D016730:Program Development