Thinking of Learning Communities? Here Are Some of the Ways They May Benefit Your Medical Students

Abstract

Learning communities are designed to bring together students, faculty, and potentially other healthcare professionals, to learn with and from each other formally in teaching activities but also in the social domain. In recent years, learning communities have gained some recognition as an effective educational strategy but their use is still not widely seen in all medical schools. Numerous benefits of learning communities have been reported and these include improved academic performance, enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, increased student confidence, and improved communication skills. Learning communities also provide opportunities for personal growth, mentorship, and self-reflection, all of which contribute to a students’ professional development.