Medical students working as health care assistants: an evaluation.

Students find the opportunity to work as HCAs meaningful and enjoyable. This brief initiative may help students develop a number of skills and attributes that assist in shaping future doctors. Further to helping medical students understand what values-based practice actually means and why it matters to patients, it also clarifies HCAs' and other professionals' contribution to the wider health care team. A research study is underway to evidence its impact.