Community-based education and problem solving: the Community Health Scholars Program at the University of Florida.

Background: Although many medical schools understand and support the need for community service as part of educational training, this goal has been difficult to operationalize.

Description: The Community Health Scholars program, a joint effort between the Area Health Education Center and the University of Florida, places 1st-year medical students in clinical settings with underserved populations, both rural and urban. The stated goal of the experience is to solve a problem identified by the communities as well as provide exposure to community practice and environment.

Evaluation: The program provided notable services to many communities. More than 80% of participating students believed it was a good or excellent learning experience; more than 90% believed that the program affected their career choice; and 100% believed that the program should be continued. Although this is a 1st-year program, students were not surveyed until their last year, suggesting that the program may have a lasting effect.

Conclusions: This collaborative program successfully provided a service-learning experience for students while promoting solutions to problems in underserved communities.