A Survey Study on the Effect of Medical Volunteer Activities on Competency Enhancement and the Development of Medical Volunteer Guidelines for Korean Medicine Students

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the effects in competency enhancement of students participating in medical volunteer activities and to investigate the current conditions and needs for developing guidelines.Methods: A self-reporting online survey was conducted with Korean medicine students who participated in the medical volunteer activities. The first survey, sent to 147 participants on July 6, 2024, consisted of questions on clinical guidelines for medical volunteer activities and professional competency evaluation before the volunteer activities. The second survey, sent to 53 participants on July 12, 2024, used the same competency evaluation items to assess changes after the volunteer activities.Results: Due to the lack of current clinical guidelines, most students are experiencing difficulties. There is a demand for comprehensive guidelines and specific items for immediate application in medical volunteer activities. Medical volunteer activities have enhanced the professional competencies of Korean medicine students in all aspects.Conclusions: Through these results, Research on medical volunteer activities and the development of guidelines is essential for its advancement.