title: The Medical Education Pathway: description and early outcomes of a student-as-teacher program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although senior medical students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSMD) have a long history of teaching junior peers, no formal educational training existed for students until 2007. The Medical Education Pathway (MEP) at the URSMD is a longitudinal student-as-teacher program that addresses both the local precedent of medical student teaching and the ongoing need to prepare students for teaching in residency and beyond.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2007, administrative faculty spearheaded efforts to create the MEP Committee, whose members then designed and implemented an elective curriculum. The curriculum balances didactics and experiential learning. A rigorous two-step application process precedes acceptance into the MEP. Participating students receive mentoring, assessment, and formative feedback on lecture delivery and leadership of various small-group formats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 2007, 89 students have enrolled in the MEP: 49 have successfully completed it, and 40 are currently enrolled. MEP students teach in basic science and clinical courses, and they regularly make novel contributions to the medical school curriculum. Student learner peers demonstrate an ability to give constructive feedback to MEP students. Exit survey comments demonstrate that the MEP influences participating students' career plans. Lessons learned from implementing the MEP include the importance of institutional support, dedicated faculty who value student teaching, and flexibility in scheduling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future improvements to the MEP include enhancing the assessment process and tracking the careers of graduates as outcome data. The MEP serves as a model for a successful student-as-teacher program in other institutions and settings.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Song is senior instructor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. Dr. Davis is associate professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. Dr. Lambert is professor, Department of Medicine, and senior associate dean of medical education, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D009518:New York; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods