Utilizing the community as a learning resource in the training of undergraduate medical students

Abstract

The kind and range of attributes that an undergraduate medical student should acquire by the time of completion of their training are extensive. The exposure of undergraduate medical students to the local community during the training period carries immense significance in the learning curve of the students. The exposure to community as a learning resource satisfies multiple principles of adult learning, as medical students can be actively engaged in the learning process, wherein they have to play a specific role and the learning happens across all the learning domains and does not remain restricted to the cognitive domain alone. In conclusion, the use of community as a learning resource for facilitating the training of medical students has been linked with multiple benefits. However, it is quite essential that potential challenges should be identified and accordingly preparation is done by the concerned departments to ensure the attainment of learning objectives and avoid rejection from the community.