Online Bridging Program for new international palliative medicine fellows: development and evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002797
Author(s):  
Hanan Al-Mohawes ◽  
Madelaine Amante ◽  
Breffni Hannon ◽  
Camilla Zimmermann ◽  
Ebru Kaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Usability Tests ◽  
Online Format ◽  
The University

ObjectivesInternational medical graduates (IMGs) who pursue additional training in another country may encounter unique challenges that compromise their learning experience. This paper describes the development of an Online Bridging Program in the Division of Palliative Care at the University Health Network Toronto and examines its effectiveness in improving IMGs’ readiness for Canadian fellowship training.MethodsThe annual Online Bridging Program was developed to help new IMGs transitioning to Canadian palliative fellowship using Kern’s framework for curriculum development. Following a needs assessment, eight online modules with weekly live sessions were developed and underwent external content validation and usability tests. After each iteration, the programme was improved based on participant feedback. Evaluation was conducted first through an online survey immediately on completion of the programme and then through qualitative interviews 6 months into the fellowship. The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s model for thematic analysis.ResultsNine IMGs participated in the Online Bridging Program from 2018 to 2020. All nine participated in the survey and eight in the interviews. Responses to the online survey were almost unanimously positive, suggesting its effectiveness in assisting the IMGs’ transitions into fellowship. The interviews revealed four major themes: the importance of combining online modules and live sessions, reducing the fellows’ anxiety and easing the transition into their new role, an improved overall learning experience and recognising online format limitations.ConclusionThe Online Bridging Program effectively eased IMG palliative medicine fellows’ transition into training and enhanced their learning experience.

Disciplinary differences in doctoral student engagement in generic skills learning

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Sakurai ◽  
Kirsi Pyhältö
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Generic Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skills Learning ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aims to explore the disciplinary characteristics of doctoral students’ generic skills learning experience at a Finnish university. Design/methodology/approach An online survey measuring doctoral students’ generic skills learning experience was administered to all doctoral students of the university and 1,184 responses were obtained. The study conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, principal component analysis and heatmap analyses. Findings The results suggested three major trends. First, students’ scores for research integrity skills were consistently lower in the hard sciences, such as biological and environmental sciences, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, science and medicine. Second, students of the law showed a unique trend; their scores for research integrity, leadership and entrepreneurship skills learning were remarkably higher than those in other faculties, but they had the lowest scores for communication skills. Research limitations/implications The data represented students at one Finnish university, so institutional and geographical differences fell beyond the scope of this paper. Furthermore, the results could reflect either the authentic levels of students’ acquired skillsets or self-interpretation of experiences governed by their disciplinary values. Accordingly, the immediate generalisability of the findings to individuals and different contexts should carefully be considered. Originality/value The findings can contribute to improve doctoral training practices. In addition, the survey results are useful for the further development of inventories, as doctoral students’ engagement in generic skills development has been attracting attention in higher education.

scholarly journals Online learning experience of the master of TESOL students during Covid-19 closures

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Le Thi Thanh Thu
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Online Study ◽  
The University

This study investigates the online learning experience of the Master of TESOL students studying at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. The online survey was sent to students of both the local and join Master programs who took online courses during the university closures because of Covid-19. The findings showed that the students had positive experience with their online learning. They indicated that they were ready for studying online in the future though they had challenges such as improper attention in online study; poor internet connectivity, unfavorable conditions to study at home and lack of training for online study. Key words: online learning experience, Covid-19 closures, university, postgraduate

Training international medical graduate clinical fellows: the challenges and opportunities for adolescent medicine programs

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eudice Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Adolescent Medicine ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Formal Basis

Abstract Adolescent medicine achieved accreditation status first in the United States in 1994 and then in Canada in 2008 and even if it is not an accredited subspecialty in most other Western nations, it has still become firmly established as a distinct discipline. This has not necessarily been the case in some developing countries, where even the recognition of adolescence as a unique stage of human development is not always acknowledged. The program at SickKids in Toronto has prided itself in treating its international medical graduates (IMG) clinical fellows the same as their Canadian subspecialty residents by integrating them seamlessly into the training program. Although this approach has been laudable to a great extent, it may have fallen short in formally acknowledging and addressing the challenges that the IMG trainees have had to overcome. Moving forward, faculty must be trained and supports instituted that are geared specifically towards these challenges. This must be done on a formal basis to ensure both the success of the trainees as well as the overall enrichment of the fellowship training programs.

scholarly journals A month at the Hôtel-Dieu: a reversal of perspectives

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-72
Author(s):  
Sohrab Zahedi ◽  
Amelie Kipman ◽  
Nicolas Dantchev ◽  
James Bozzuto
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Service ◽  
International Medical ◽  
First Year ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Fourth Author ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Connecticut ◽  
Residency Match

International medical graduates (IMGs) account for more than 30% of the first-year positions filled in US psychiatric residencies (Nation Residency Match Program, 2007). At the time of writing, the first author was 4 months away from finishing his residency at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) when the opportunity arose to turn the tables and use his fluency in French to complete a month-long elective in France. During this period, he spent time as an observer in the psychiatric service of a Parisian hospital, l'Hôtel-Dieu. The realisation of this elective was helped by the fourth author, who knew various members of World Psychiatric Association. This paper presents some comparative observations of the clinical milieus at UCONN and the Hôtel-Dieu.

scholarly journals Politische Soziologie der Corona-Proteste

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Nachtwey ◽  
Robert Schäfer ◽  
Nadien Frei
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Political Sociology ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Empirical Approach ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Politische Soziologie ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
The University

In the research project "Political Sociology of the Corona Protests", researchers from the Department of Sociology at the University of Basel are empirically investigating the current Corona protests in Switzerland and Germany. The aim of the research is to analyse the motivation, values and beliefs of the participants in rallies, actions and demonstrations directed against the corona-related measures.In order to be able to comprehensively investigate these new protests, a broad empirical approach (mixed-methods) will be pursued in the research project. This includes a quantitative online survey, ethnographic observations, qualitative interviews and document analyses.

scholarly journals GET A HEAD START! EXPERIENCES OF RUNNING A SUMMER ONLINE CALCULUS COURSE FOR INCOMING FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Cohen ◽  
Micah Stickel
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Early Introduction ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Online Format ◽  
The University

One of the great advantages of developing online courses is that it enables the institution to reimagine how they can deliver that content to their students. In recent years, the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto has worked to develop a set of first year calculus courses in an online format. These courses were designed specifically for engineering students to: (a) situate the material in an engineering context through multiple real-world examples and “on-site” videos, (b) place an increased emphasis on the form of the solution, and (c) incorporate a significant experience in mathematical modeling through a self-defined project.In July and August of 2014, the Calculus for Engineers I online course was offered to incoming first-year students that were to start in September 2014. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the experiences related to this unique offering from the perspectives of the students as well as the Faculty administration and course instructor.Of the 900 students that were invited to take the course, 170 initially registered for the course in early July, and of those 48 students completed the course at the end of August. Of the 44 students that passed the course, 20 (48%) decided to continue on with the online offering of Calculus for Engineers II in the fall 2014 term.Overall, students were quite positive about their online learning experience and were glad to have the opportunity to complete a credit before their official start. This allowed them to either take an elective in their first year or have a lighter workload in one of the terms.In their course survey comments, they noted that they appreciated the opportunity to learn and review the material at their own pace, the way in which the instructor connected the mathematics to an engineering context, and having an early introduction to the university learning environment.Delivering an online university-level calculus course to incoming first-year students is an exciting and novel way to enhance the engineering student experience in first year. This paper provides an introductory summary of this approach from the students’, instructor’s, and administrators’ perspectives.

International Medical Graduates in Nephrology: A Guide for Trainees and Programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-304.e1
Author(s):  
Javier A. Neyra ◽  
Maria Clarissa Tio ◽  
Silvia Ferrè
Keyword(s):  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates

Pediatric neurosurgery in Asia and Australasia: training and clinical practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Ronnie E. Baticulon ◽  
Michael C. Dewan ◽  
Nunthasiri Wittayanakorn ◽  
Philipp R. Aldana ◽  
Wirginia J. Maixner
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
Pediatric Epilepsy ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Survey Responses

OBJECTIVEThere are limited data on the pediatric neurosurgical workforce in Asia and Australasia. The training and clinical practice of pediatric neurosurgeons need to be characterized in order to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, thereby establishing a framework from which to elevate pediatric neurosurgical care in the region.METHODSAn online survey for pediatric neurosurgeons was created in REDCap (Research Electronic Database Capture), collecting demographic information and data on pediatric neurosurgical training and clinical practice. The link to answer the survey was sent to the mailing lists of the Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, disseminated during the 2019 Asian Australasian Pediatric Neurosurgery Congress, and spread through social media. The survey was open to neurosurgeons who operated on patients ≤ 18 years old in Asian Australasian countries, whether or not they had completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery. Descriptive statistics were computed and tabulated. Data were stratified and compared based on surgeon training and World Bank income group.RESULTSA total of 155 valid survey responses were analyzed, representing neurosurgeons from 21 countries. A total of 107 (69%) considered themselves pediatric neurosurgeons, of whom 66 (43%) had completed pediatric neurosurgery training. Neurosurgeons in East Asia commonly undergo a fellowship in their home countries, whereas the rest train mostly in North America, Europe, and Australia. A majority (89%) had operating privileges, and subspecialty pediatric training usually lasted from 6 months to 2 years. On average, trained pediatric neurosurgeons perform a higher number of pediatric neurosurgical operations per year compared with nonpediatric-trained respondents (131 ± 129 vs 56 ± 64 [mean ± SD], p = 0.0001). The mean number of total neurosurgical operations per year is similar for both groups (184 ± 129 vs 178 ± 142 [mean ± SD], p = 0.80). Respondents expressed the desire to train further in pediatric epilepsy, spasticity, vascular malformations, craniofacial disorders, and brain tumors.CONCLUSIONSBoth pediatric and general neurosurgeons provide neurosurgical care to children in Asia and Australasia. There is a need to increase pediatric neurosurgery fellowship programs in the region. Skill sets and training needs in pediatric neurosurgery vary depending on the country’s economic status and between pediatric-trained and nonpediatric-trained surgeons.

scholarly journals The WxChallenge: Forecasting Competition, Educational Tool, and Agent of Cultural Change

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (10) ◽  
pp. 1501-1506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley G. Illston ◽  
Jeffrey B. Basara ◽  
Christopher Weiss ◽  
Mike Voss
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The United States ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Educational Tool ◽  
Web Interfaces ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
University Of Oklahoma ◽  
The University

The WxChallenge, a project developed at the University of Oklahoma, brings a state-of-the-art, fun, and exciting forecast contest to participants at colleges and universities across North America. The challenge is to forecast the maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, and maximum wind speeds for select locations across the United States over a 24-h prediction period. The WxChallenge is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, as well as higher-education faculty, staff, and alumni. Through the use of World Wide Web interfaces accessible by personal computers, tablet computer, and smartphones, the WxChallenge provides a state-of-the-art portal to aid participants in submitting forecasts and alleviate many of the administrative issues (e.g., tracking and scoring) faced by local managers and professors. Since its inception in 2006, 110 universities have participated in the contest and it has been utilized as part of the curricula for 140 classroom courses at various institutions. The inherently challenging nature of the WxChallenge has encouraged its adoption as an educational tool. As its popularity has grown, professors have seen the utility of the Wx-Challenge as a teaching aid and it has become an instructional resource of many meteorological classes at institutions for higher learning. In addition to evidence of educational impacts, the competition has already begun to leave a cultural and social mark on the meteorological learning experience.

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