Evaluating a Medical Student-Directed Elementary School Health Education Initiative: A Two-Way Street
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| Title: | Evaluating a Medical Student-Directed Elementary School Health Education Initiative: A Two-Way Street |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Joseph D. Quick (ORCID |
| Source: | Health Education Journal. 2026 85(2):107-119. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Elementary Education Early Childhood Education Grade 3 Primary Education Grade 4 Intermediate Grades Grade 5 Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | Medical Students, Elementary School Students, Health Education, Knowledge Level, Program Effectiveness, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Nutrition, Hygiene, Exercise, Leisure Time |
| Geographic Terms: | Ohio (Cleveland) |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969251380089 |
| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| Abstract: | Objective: Early elementary school health education is often lacking due to resource constraints. This quality-improvement project evaluated the impact of a medical student-directed elementary school health education programme. Design: Elementary school students participated in health education sessions led by medical students. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to both elementary school and medical school students to evaluate their health knowledge or self-reported growth, respectively. Elementary school teachers completed a post-survey after observing the curriculum. Setting: The study was conducted in 2024 in third- to fifth-grade classrooms of an elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Method: Elementary school students (n = 54) participated in a series of four, 1-hour health education sessions taught by medical students. The four core topics -- nutrition, hygiene, exercise and relaxation and growth and development -- were presented over several weeks. Pre- and post-tests were used to evaluate changes in elementary school students' understanding of the material. Medical students (n = 26) completed pre- and post-surveys to measure changes in their personal and professional development. Elementary school teachers (n = 4) were queried at the programme's conclusion to provide an overall assessment of the health education initiative. Results: Elementary school students showed significant improvement in health education knowledge from pre-test to post-test (+11.1%, p = 0.003). Medical students reported growth in engagement and motivational strategies (+13.8%, p = 0.006), lesson planning and educational skills (+12.2%, p = 0.01) and ability to convey complex health information (+12.0%, p = 0.03). Elementary school teachers rated the programme 94.0 ± 9.4 on a 100-point scale. Conclusion: A medical student-led health education programme may improve health education knowledge among elementary school students while also enhancing medical students' personal and professional development. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1499862 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Objective: Early elementary school health education is often lacking due to resource constraints. This quality-improvement project evaluated the impact of a medical student-directed elementary school health education programme. Design: Elementary school students participated in health education sessions led by medical students. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to both elementary school and medical school students to evaluate their health knowledge or self-reported growth, respectively. Elementary school teachers completed a post-survey after observing the curriculum. Setting: The study was conducted in 2024 in third- to fifth-grade classrooms of an elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Method: Elementary school students (n = 54) participated in a series of four, 1-hour health education sessions taught by medical students. The four core topics -- nutrition, hygiene, exercise and relaxation and growth and development -- were presented over several weeks. Pre- and post-tests were used to evaluate changes in elementary school students' understanding of the material. Medical students (n = 26) completed pre- and post-surveys to measure changes in their personal and professional development. Elementary school teachers (n = 4) were queried at the programme's conclusion to provide an overall assessment of the health education initiative. Results: Elementary school students showed significant improvement in health education knowledge from pre-test to post-test (+11.1%, p = 0.003). Medical students reported growth in engagement and motivational strategies (+13.8%, p = 0.006), lesson planning and educational skills (+12.2%, p = 0.01) and ability to convey complex health information (+12.0%, p = 0.03). Elementary school teachers rated the programme 94.0 ± 9.4 on a 100-point scale. Conclusion: A medical student-led health education programme may improve health education knowledge among elementary school students while also enhancing medical students' personal and professional development. |
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| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969251380089 |
