Educating medical students about military health: Perspectives from a multidisciplinary lecture initiative.

Background: Medical student education on military health topics is critical in ensuring optimal future care for military service members and their families.

Methods: Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (Keck SOM) students were invited to participate in an anonymous, voluntary, online survey ("Pre") rating their level of interest, awareness, exposure and comfort with military health issues on a 5-point Likert scale. A student-organized program of four voluntary lectures discussing military health-related topics was then implemented.

The nonphysician "medical student educator": a formal addition to the clerkships and key programs at an academic medical center.

Background: Medical school faculty members face increased clinical and academic demands, leaving less time for teaching, curriculum development, and assessment of learners.

Description: The Keck School of Medicine has hired a dedicated medical student educator for each required clerkship. The medical student educator assists the clerkship director with clinical teaching, curriculum development, student and program evaluation, and administrative functions.