Advancing the understanding of research during medical education through collaborative learning: the Collaboration of Practitioners and Researchers Seminar Series

BACKGROUND: The Collaboration of Practitioners and Researchers Seminar Series is student-led program comprised of seminars delivered jointly by medical and graduate students on a topic in medicine of mutual interest to an audience of both medical and graduate students. METHODS: Following its inaugural year in 2016–2017, we evaluated changes in attendees’ perceived understanding of translational research through an electronic survey and semi-structured interviews with attendees. RESULTS: Study participants rated their understanding of translational research and comfort with interacting with students from the other program higher following attending seminars. Participants believed that the seminars helped in breaking barriers between medical and graduate students. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this seminar series positively impacted attendees’ understanding of translational research and attitudes towards collaboration between medical and graduate students. We believe that similar initiatives may be of value in fostering new opportunities for collaboration between medical and graduate students at other institutions.