Academic Support Services in U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools

Background: Academic support services play a critical but largely undocumented role in helping medical students meet the challenges of the curriculum. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of academic support programs in medical schools, and to find out how these are conceptualized and implemented. M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical education online 2004-04, Vol.9, p.6-6
Main Authors: Norma S. Saks, EdD, Sarah Karl, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
academic support
medical education
medical students
student counseling
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Summary:Background: Academic support services play a critical but largely undocumented role in helping medical students meet the challenges of the curriculum. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of academic support programs in medical schools, and to find out how these are conceptualized and implemented. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to medical schools in the US and Canada. Questions addressed specific services, providers, and funding. Results: The survey was returned by 86 of the 135 (67.7%) schools. Almost all (95.3%) provide academic support in the first two years, and a large majority in third (82.6%) and fourth (79%) year. Great variability exists in the infrastructure and funding of the programs, and in the training of the providers. Conclusions: Academic support is common, but has broad interpretation; services are varied. Programs are conceptualized differently, some to provide specific assistance to pass courses, and others for skill development, to enhance self-directed, life-long learning.
ISSN:1087-2981
1087-2981