title: Medical students as teachers at CoSMO, Columbia University's student-run clinic: a pilot study and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although medical students are expected to teach as soon as they begin residency, medical schools have just recently begun adding teacher training to their curricula. Student-run clinics (SRCs) may provide opportunities in clinical teaching before residency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this pilot study was to examine students' experiences in clinical teaching at Columbia Student Medical Outreach (CoSMO), Columbia University's SRC, during the 2009-2010 school year.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods approach was used. Data included closed and open-ended surveys (n = 34), combined interviews with preclinical and clinical student pairs (n = 5), individual interviews (n = 10), and focus groups (n = 3). The transcripts were analyzed using the principles of grounded theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many students had their first clinical teaching experience while volunteering at CoSMO. Clinical students' ability to teach affected the quality of the learning experience for their preclinical peers. Preclinical students who asked questions and engaged in patient care challenged their clinical peers to balance teaching with patient care. Clinical students began to see themselves as teachers while volunteering at CoSMO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The practical experiences in clinical teaching that students have at SRCs can supplement classroom-based trainings. Medical schools might revisit their SRCs as places for exposure to clinical teaching.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, USA. magni.hamso@gmail.com
authors.forename: Magni
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamso
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsdell
authors.forename: Dorene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boquin
mesh_terms: D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009518:New York; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000078329:Workforce