Student continuity with patients: a system delivery innovation to benefit patient care and learning (continuity patient benefit)

Medical education is continuing to evolve to meet the healthcare needs of the future. The longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) model is an important innovation in medical education. It has in its vision and structure “patient- and learner-centered education”, using longitudinal relationships between patients and students as a foundational element in its design. LIC students have shown more patient-centered attitudes and behaviors that persist after medical school. They remain connected with the patient experience of care, which supports empathy and student moral development. The time that LIC students spend acting independently with patients also supports the development of higher order clinical and cognitive skills and professional identity formation. Student participation in a more meaningful way in the care of their patients promotes patient wellbeing, and helps patients with transitions of care, communication and preventative care. Patients report feeling empowered to be more active agents in their own care and feel an accountability and pleasure in the training of new physicians. Focusing on the patient/student relationship as a foundational element of clinical education has meaningful benefits to the patient and student with the potential to improve patient care directly and in the future, as these students become physicians.