Blazing the Trail: A Novel Longitudinal Approach to Wilderness Medicine Education for Preclinical Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction

—Wilderness medical education for medical students is generally intended for senior medical students during their clinical years. Several universities have established elective rotations for clinical students or longitudinal 4-y tracks, but these opportunities are frequently restricted to a limited number of students. This novel program sought to fill a deficit of wilderness medicine curricula for preclinical medical students by creating a longitudinal course over one academic year.

Methods

—This curriculum includes a certification series of didactic lectures on core wilderness medical topics interspersed with hands-on skills sessions and simulated patient scenarios led by emergency medicine-trained faculty. Established medical education strategies were employed to improve learning, including spacing, interleaving, gamification, review quizzes, and frequent low-stakes assessments.

Results

—During the first 3 y of this innovative teaching method, 48 preclinical students completed all components of the course, with another 20 students in progress for this academic year. Postintervention surveys have yielded positive feedback, with students reporting improved confidence on patient assessment, increased wilderness medical knowledge, and the acquisition of procedural skills.

Conclusions

—Implementing a 1-y longitudinal wilderness medicine curriculum for preclinical medical students allows learners to gain valuable skills while building their confidence to assess and treat patients in a wilderness environment. The curriculum can be designed to incorporate best practices in medical education and adapted to a variety of practice situations and learners.