Nosheen Zaidi, Mahmood Ahmed, Saifud Din Saif, Wasif Khan.
Preparing medical students through service learning to provide social justice.
Professional Med J Jan ;18(2):280-4.

Methods:Fifteen students interviewed 700 child laborers using a piloted interview form during a fifteen months period. Focus group discussions were held with these students to discuss their experiences. Qualitative analysis of the discussion is reported. Results: Students empathized that children worked on a contractual basis averaging $1 per 10 hours with no meals. Parents encouraged them to earn money and they felt more satisfied pleasing them. Children didn’t attend school because of the school quality and fear of abuse. “Our exposure to child labor had been limited; this has taken us to the core of the issue. We now feel responsible as a physician and a leader to ensure ‘security of children in every respect’ as part of their health.” “We will avoid employing children at our homes and will council parents, trying to be role models for others.” “As future leaders we will propose measures including establishment of free quality educational systems with paid vocational tracks.” Conclusions: Service learning will inculcate empathy for the oppressed groups of the community and also develop a social and civic responsibility in medical students.

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