Active Mind Active Body Program: Pre-Clinical Medical Students Supporting Hospitalized Patients

The Active Mind Active Body (AMAB) program led by medical students at the University of Alberta, offers pre-clerkship students a unique opportunity to engage with hospitalized patients, supporting their physical mobility and cognitive well being. The volunteer program was born out of a desire to support hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitation from family and friends were restricted. Launched in July 2021 by Dr. Winnie Sia, Chief of Medicine at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, alongside several medical students, the program sought to combat the isolation and physical deconditioning that many patients faced in hospitals. Through activities such as general socialization, assisting with zoom or FaceTime with families, guided walks off the medical units, physical therapy exercises, crafting activities, and storytelling, volunteers bring companionship and encouragement to patients. Supported by funding from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry as well as from the Yatscoff Family Medical Entrepreneurship Award, AMAB has been able to access board games, playing cards, word searches, and crafting supplies to enrich the program experience for patients. Since its inception, AMAB has expanded to include the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and the Mazankowski Heart Institute and now has included nearly 100 volunteers who have conducted over 1000 patient encounters.
The benefits of AMAB extend beyond the patients it serves.

For the medical students involved, the program offers a rare and valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting, even before reaching the clinical phase of their training. Opportunities to interact with patients that allow them to develop bedside manner and communication skills are limited. AMAB changes this by allowing students to engage directly with patients in a supportive and meaningful way, to develop skills such as active listening, empathy, and clear communication. AMAB also provides medical students with an opportunity to collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals. By working alongside nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, students develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of patient care. These collaborative experiences help students appreciate the contributions of different team members and is especially valuable as students transition into clinical roles, where teamwork and communication are essential.

Many volunteers have shared stories about how hearing a patient’s life story and learning about the adversities they may have faced have changed their perspectives on patient care and humanized the practice of medicine. Volunteers have also shared how fulfilling it was to see patients make strides in terms of their mobility and cognition each week and for the opportunity to be a part of the patient’s care. One volunteer shared how they had taken a patient off the unit to go get a coffee and then sat with the patient in the garden and heard stories about their life. Other volunteers found it impactful to help patients make Christmas ornaments to decorate their room during the holidays or hand out handmade cards on Valentine’s day.

The patient-centered nature of AMAB provides medical students with an invaluable perspective on the broader aspects of healthcare, emphasizing the importance of understanding patients' needs beyond their medical conditions. By interacting with patients outside of formal clinical settings, volunteers gain a deeper appreciation for the social determinants of health and the mental and emotional challenges that many patients face during their hospital stays. By continuing to offer early clinical exposure for medical students and enriching the hospital experience for patients, the program aims to make a lasting impact on patient care and medical education alike. It serves as a model for how medical students can meaningfully contribute to patient well-being while developing the skills and insights to shape compassionate and capable physicians.