FACTORS AFFECTING VOLUNTEERISM AMONG FEU-NRMF MEDICAL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: Many people consider volunteerism as an altruistic act, or as a way to help other people thru service. In the Philippines, different institutions have their own way of volunteerism and different reasons for doing so. In the educational setting, the student`s motives on volunteerism are very vital. This is to know if they are doing the act for the academic credits or because of a pure unselfish reason. Student volunteering can benefit the community, the students and the academic institutes. Students are not only an important pool of volunteers at present, but also for civil society of tomorrow (Haski Leventhal et al., 2008b). But not all students are willing to participate. In FEU-NRMF, volunteerism among students particularly medical students are not that apparent. Only 22 students among all medical students are part of a school club doing volunteer work. This study aimed to know the proportion of the FEU-NRMF who are currently involved in volunteer work, inside or outside the institution. And to know the factors that affects the volunteerism of the students and the factors that will probably make the non-involved students to volunteer. Survey form was used in 372 medical students to determine state of volunteerism in the school. This revealed that only 41 students or 13% are involved in volunteerism. The factor that mostly influences the medical students is Social interaction which has a percentage of 73%. And, the 273 or 86.94% of medical students who are not involved in volunteerism will most probably volunteer if they know that the volunteer opportunity is meaningful, or will make a difference in people`s lives.

Department of Community & Family Medicine