Does feeling part of the health care team matter for students’ learning? Exploring the relationship between sense of belonging and perceived learning climate during clerkships

Students' sense of belonging and perceived learning climate are closely intertwined and shaped by the degree to which students are given meaningful roles in clinical practice. This underscores the importance of intentional engagement strategies by the broader health care team and educational administrators to foster an inclusive educational environment and promote active student participation. Roster planning can support this by scheduling learning opportunities. Faculty development should focus on supporting student learning, fostering personal engagement and open dialogue, and providing meaningful feedback. Students themselves are encouraged to actively seek meaningful ways to contribute in clinical settings.