Commentary on Barradell and Bell (2021)-Applying a critical lens to the role of students as partners in health professions education: challenges, risks, and potential

This commentary is a response to Barradell and Bell’s (2021) qualitative research synthesis on the role of students as partners (SaP) in health professions education (HPE), which was recently published in Advances in Health Sciences Education. Through an exploration of some of the challenges and risks of SaP in HPE, the author argues that the uncritical application of SaP carries with it a risk of harm to students and faculty. The commentary ends with suggestions on how the potential of SaP in HPE might be better realized.