title: Graduates' Perceptions of Learning Affordances in Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships: A Dual-Institution, Mixed-Methods Study.
abstract: The authors explored affordances that contribute to participants' successful learning in longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs).
  
  
  
  This dual-institutional, mixed-methods study included electronic surveys and semistructured interviews of LIC graduates who completed their core clinical (third) year of medical school. These LIC graduates took part in LICs at Harvard Medical School from 2004 to 2013 and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine-Asheville campus from 2009 to 2013. The survey questions asked LIC graduates to rate components of LICs that they perceived as contributing to successful learning. A research assistant interviewed a subset of study participants about their learning experiences. The authors analyzed aggregate data quantitatively and performed a qualitative content analysis on interview data.
  
  
  
  The graduates reported multiple affordances that they perceive contributed to successful learning in their LIC. The most reported components included continuity and relationships with preceptors, patients, place, and peers, along with integration of and flexibility within the curriculum.
  
  
  
  As LIC models grow in size and number, and their structures and processes evolve, learners' perceptions of affordances may guide curriculum planning. Further research is needed to investigate to what degree and by what means these affordances support learning in LICs and other models of clinical education.
authors.affiliation: R.A. Latessa is director and assistant dean, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine-Asheville Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships Program, Asheville, North Carolina, and professor of family medicine, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. R.A. Swendiman is a general surgery resident, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A.B. Parlier is a research project coordinator, Center for Research at Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, North Carolina. S.L. Galvin is director of research, Center for Research at Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, North Carolina, and adjunct assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. D.A. Hirsh is director, Harvard Medical School Cambridge Integrated Clerkship, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, director, Harvard Medical School Academy Medical Education Fellowship, and associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Robyn A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Latessa
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Swendiman
authors.forename: Anna Beth
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Parlier
authors.forename: Shelley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Galvin
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hirsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D000068156:Formative Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States