scholarly journals Opening up the black box of a Gateway to Medicine programme: a realist evaluation

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049993
Author(s):  
Kathrine Gibson Smith ◽  
Kirsty Alexander ◽  
Jennifer Cleland
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Academic Confidence ◽  
What Works ◽  
Socioeconomic Diversity ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups ◽  
Group Interviews

ObjectivesA Gateway to Medicine programme, developed in partnership between a further and higher education setting and implemented to increase the socioeconomic diversity of medicine, was examined to identify precisely what works within the programme and why.DesignThis study employed realist evaluation principles and was undertaken in three phases: document analysis and qualitative focus groups with widening access (WA) programme architects; focus groups and interviews with staff and students; generation of an idea of what works.SettingParticipants were recruited from a further/higher education setting and were either enrolled or involved in the delivery of a Gateway to Medicine programme.ParticipantsTwelve staff were interviewed either individually (n=3) or in one of three group interviews. Nine focus groups (ranging from 5 to 18 participants in each focus group) were carried out with Gateway students from three consecutive cohorts at 2–3 points in their Gateway programme year.ResultsData were generated to determine what ‘works’ in the Gateway programme. Turning a realist lens on the data identified six inter-relating mechanisms which helped students see medicine as attainable and achievable and prepared them for the transition to medical school. These were academic confidence (M1); developing professional identity (M2); financial support/security (M3); supportive relationships with staff (M4) and peers (M5); and establishing a sense of belonging as a university student (M6).ConclusionsBy unpacking the ‘black box’ of a Gateway programme through realist evaluation, we have shown that such programmes are not solely about providing knowledge and skills but are rather much more complex in respect to how they work. Further work is needed to further test the mechanisms identified in our study in other contexts for theory development and to identify predictors of effectiveness in terms of students’ preparedness to transition.

Adapting an Online Prevention Program to the Higher Education Area in Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 496-504
Author(s):  
Michael Braun ◽  
Thomas Ganz ◽  
Thomas Heidenreich ◽  
Marion Laging
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
German Language ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups ◽  
Quantitative Verification ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

Purpose: Hazardous alcohol consumption among university students represents a prime health risk for this population. Due to a lack of appropriate German-language (online) prevention programs, an existing U.S.-American program was transferred to the German higher education area and then evaluated. Method: For this purpose, both qualitative focus groups and a quantitative evaluation were undertaken. The guided focus groups allowed a further adaptation of the prevention program: An improved frequency–quantity questionnaire for the drinking behavior of German-speaking students was developed, and thresholds for hazardous consumption were included. Results: The additional quantitative verification of the adaptation found that 65.9% of the surveyed students found the adapted program suitable for the higher education context and 62.6% stated that every university should provide such a program. Discussion: The adaptation process described here made it possible to develop an online prevention program tailored to the lifeworld of students in the German-speaking region.

E-LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: FOCUS GROUPS AND SURVEY AMONG STUDENTS IN CENTRAL EUROPE

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
TUŠEVLJAK MARKO ◽  
MAJCEN LUCIJA ◽  
MERVAR LARA ◽  
STEPANKINA TAISIYA ◽  
CATER BARBARA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
E Learning

scholarly journals Perspectives of organizational identity in a health higher education institution: a mixed-method analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ubirajara José Picanço de Miranda Junior ◽  
Maria Rita Carvalho Garbi Novaes ◽  
Henrique Batista Araújo Santos ◽  
João Fellipe Santos Tatsch ◽  
Rafael Sanches Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Organizational Identity ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institution

Abstract Background Among the processes to be experienced by any organization during its establishment is the formation of an organizational identity. This process can be understood as the activity and event through which an organization becomes unique in the mind of its members. An organizational identity leads to an identification and both are directly associated with the success of an institution. This study is about a public higher education institution in health in its early years, with distinctive characteristics in the country where it is situated. In spite of having been successful in the graduation of its students it has fragile institutional bases, lack of autonomy and internal problems common to other institutions of this type. Thus, this study was conducted to understand how this institution defined itself among its own members, the elements of its identity and what justified its relative success despite its weaknesses. Methods A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate how a representative portion of this organization identifies with it. For the qualitative study two focus groups were conducted with transcripts submitted to content analysis proposed by Bardin, culminating in results from which a Likert scale-based questionnaire was elaborated and applied to 297 subjects. Results There were six central elements of the organizational identity made evident by the focus groups: political / ideological conflict; active teaching and learning methodologies; location / separation of campuses; time of existence; teaching career; political-administrative transformations. The quantitative analysis revealed in more detail the general impressions raised in the focus groups. Most results were able to demonstrate distinct identifications of the same identity with its exposed weaknesses. Conclusions Lack of autonomy, administrative and structural shortcomings and ideological or political conflicts presented themselves as problems capable of destabilizing the identity of a public higher education institution. On the other hand, one way to combat such problems is through the development of the institution itself, particularly by becoming more active and useful to the community and seeking in a common interest to the higher administration agencies.

scholarly journals A realist evaluation exploring simulated patient role-play in pharmacist undergraduate communication training

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisling Kerr ◽  
Judith Strawbridge ◽  
Caroline Kelleher ◽  
James Barlow ◽  
Clare Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Rank Test

Abstract Background Effective communication between pharmacists and patients is essential and improves health outcomes. Simulated patients (SPs) are trained to reproduce real-life situations and can help pharmacy students to develop and adapt their communication skills in a safe, learner-centred environment. The aim of this research was to explore how SP and pharmacy student role-play supports communication training. Methods A mixed methods realist evaluation approach was adopted to test an initial theory relating to SP role-play for pharmacy students. The intervention tested involved complex communication cases in a men’s and women’s health module in year three of a new MPharm programme. This SP session was the first such session, of the programme which exclusively focused on complex communication skills for the students. Data collected comprised video-recordings of both training and mock OSCE sessions, and from student focus groups. Communication videos were scored using the Explanation and Planning Scale (EPSCALE) tool. Scores from SP and mock OSCE sessions were compared using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test. Focus groups were conducted with students about their experience of the training and analysed thematically, through a realist lens. Data was analysed for Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations to produce modified programme theories. Results Forty-six students (n = 46/59, 78 %) consented to their video-recorded interactions to be used. Students identified contextual factors relating to the timing within the course and the setting of the intervention, the debrief and student individual contexts. Mechanisms included authenticity, feedback, reflection, self-awareness and confidence. Negative responses included embarrassment and nervousness. They distinguished outcomes including increased awareness of communication style, more structured communication and increased comfort. However quantitative data showed a decrease (p < 0.001) in communication scores in the mock OSCE compared with scores from training sessions. Modified programme theories relating to SP training for pharmacy students were generated. Conclusions SP role-play is a valuable communication skills training approach. Emphasis should be placed on multiple stakeholder feedback and promotion of reflection. Time limits need to be considered in this context and adjusted to meet student needs, especially for students with lower levels of communication comfort and those communicating in languages different to their first language.

CYBERNETIC MODEL IN PLANNING AND FORECASTING

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Serebryanaya ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Mathematical Approach ◽  
Cybernetic Model ◽  
Corrective Measures

This article analyzes the mathematical approach to the study of the motives of students to study in higher education. The possibility of using the “black box” model used in the production of building materials for sociological research is considered. This approach allows you to see the most significant causes of discrepancies and develop corrective measures for them.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural effects of COVID-19 on higher education learning and teaching practice: A case study from Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 73-89
Author(s):  
Margarita Kefalaki ◽  
◽  
Michael Nevradakis ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Cultural Effects ◽  
Global Pandemic

COVID-19 has greatly impacted all aspects of our everyday lives. A global pandemic of this magnitude, even as we now emerge from strict measures such as lockdowns and await the potential for a ‘new tomorrow’ with the arrival of vaccines, will certainly have long-lasting consequences. We will have to adapt and learn to live in a different way. Accordingly, teaching and learning have also been greatly impacted. Changes to academic curricula have had tremendous cross-cultural effects on higher education students. This study will investigate, by way of focus groups comprised of students studying at Greek universities during the pandemic, the cross-cultural effects that this ‘global experience’ has had on higher education, and particularly on students in Greek universities. The data collection tools are interviews and observations gathered from focus groups.

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