Building bridges between education and health services in medical training: extramural experiences of medical students in a territory of Salvador

Abstract

Objectives: This article discusses the relevance of strengthening ties between university and community in medical education, drawing on the experience of medical students at a Family Health Unit in Salvador, Brazil. Brief description of the experience: The activity took place through practical classes focused on territorial engagement, grounded in the recognition of social facilities and in prior theoretical discussions. As an intervention, students carried out actions aimed at increasing vaccination coverage, organized into three stages: (1) a waiting-room activity, (2) an educational walk with the community, and (3) dissemination of content through social media. This proposal, with a pedagogical purpose and a disruptive character, was based on the territorialization of Primary Health Care and fostered an active learning model. Conclusions: The results of the experience indicate that student–community interaction broadens the understanding of patient-centered medical practice, supports health education initiatives, and contributes to democratic processes of knowledge production and dissemination. Furthermore, the students’ immersion in the territory reinforced awareness and critical-reflective perspectives on the Brazilian healthcare system, highlighting pathways for restructuring health training programs in closer integration with service delivery.