Abstract
Veterans and students enrolled in military-sponsored programs, such as the Health Professions Scholarship Program and National Guard, are joining civilian medical and other health professions schools in increasing numbers. This study aimed to explore the particular needs and perspectives of military students at a US civilian medical allopathic school. In October–November 2012, two focus groups with military medical students were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed through an inductive iterative review and recurring themes were identified. Seven (44% of all eligible) military medical students participated in the focus groups. The main themes that emerged from focus groups included leadership, camaraderie, pros and cons of early identification, the need for flexibility in the curriculum to accommodate military duties, anxiety regarding the military match, the need for information and resources, the need for stage-appropriate mentorship, uncertainty about the future, and the need for additional support for veterans. Further research is warranted to explore military student perspectives in more depth and help create an inclusive learning environment, where all military students feel valued and adequately supported.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the military student interest group leaders and all the focus group participants. Parts of this work were presented in poster format at the Western Group on Educational Affairs Annual Meeting, in Honolulu, HI, March 2014; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grantee Meeting, in Washington, D.C., June 2014; and the Association for Academic Psychiatry Annual Meeting, in Portland, OR, September 2014.
Funding
This work was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant SM 60482 and the John A. Majda, M.D. Memorial Fund.
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Seritan, A.L., Paterniti, D.A. Serving Those Who Serve: Exploring Military Medical Students’ Perspectives. J. technol. behav. sci. 3, 80–86 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-018-0050-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-018-0050-x