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Relationship of Participation in an Optional Student-Run Clinic to Medical School Grades

Background: Medical school is arduous and participating in optional service-learning activities may compete with the required curriculum. The student-run SHARING Clinics at the University of Nebraska are managed by a Board of students who commit to extensive voluntary participation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether optional service-learning participation resulted in compromised medical school grades. Methods: Of 908 students who matriculated between 1999 and 2006, 87 served on the SHARING Board. A 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the grade point averages of Board members and non-members before and after participating on the Board. Results: The grades for SHARING Board members and non-members were not statistically different. The study had sufficient statistical power to detect even a small effect size. Conclusions: Concern about compromised academic performance appears to be an invalid reason to avoid service-learning participation. The benefits of participation appear to outweigh the costs.