PREPARING MEDICAL STUDENTS

In Pakistan there are 3.3 Million child laborers without healthcare services and educational opportunities, whichaffect our social fabric. We report how structured ‘Service Experience’ helped broaden medical students understanding of social justice.Objective: To produce health professionals who are ready to work for a cause without voracity. Study design: A Cross sectional survey througha focal group discussion. Research question: Do opportunities for structured Service Learning help modify student’s perception of their role asdoctors in society? Place of Study: Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad. Study Period: Fifteen months, from January2008–April 2009. Methods: Fifteen students interviewed 700 child laborers using a piloted interview form during a fifteen months period. Focusgroup discussions were held with these students to discuss their experiences. Qualitative analysis of the discussion is reported. Results:Students empathized that children worked on a contractual basis averaging $1 per 10 hours with no meals. Parents encouraged them to earnmoney and they felt more satisfied pleasing them. Children didn’t attend school because of the school quality and fear of abuse. “Our exposureto child labor had been limited; this has taken us to the core of the issue. We now feel responsible as a physician and a leader to ensure ‘securityof children in every respect’ as part of their health.” “We will avoid employing children at our homes and will council parents, trying to be rolemodels for others.” “As future leaders we will propose measures including establishment of free quality educational systems with paidvocational tracks.” Conclusions: Service learning will inculcate empathy for the oppressed groups of the community and also develop a socialand civic responsibility in medical students.