The Education Chief Resident in Medical Student Education: Indicators of Success

Objective: Although residents are actively involved in teaching medical students, some students do not feel that they get adequate teaching from residents. The position of Education Chief Resident in Medical Student Education was developed to enhance the educational experience for the students, cultivate the academic skills of the education chief, and liaise between students and residents. Methods: The education chiefs spend 10-12 hours a week teaching medical students, assisting primarily with clerkships. To determine student satisfaction with the position of education chief, 85 students were surveyed in the 2007-2008 academic year. The education chiefs were also surveyed regarding their perceptions of how this position benefited their academic development. Results: Seventy-six medical students completed the survey for a response rate of 89%. Students rated highly having education chiefs as part of the psychiatry clerkship. The education chief residents felt that their teaching skills and educational development were enhanced and that the position helped prepare them for careers in academic psychiatry. Conclusion: The position of education chief was viewed as valuable to the medical student experience in the psychiatry clerkship, and the education chiefs felt that the position enhanced their professional and educational development. © 2010 Academic Psychiatry