scholarly journals Medical students' perception of simulation-based assessment in emergency and paediatric medicine: a focus group study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Laure Philippon ◽  
Jennifer Truchot ◽  
Nathalie De Suremain ◽  
Marie-Christine Renaud ◽  
Arnaud Petit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Simulation Based

Abstract Background Simulation-based assessment is scarcely used for undergraduate medical students. We created a simulation-based assessment to validate medical students’ technical and psychometrics’ skills, during their emergency medicine and pediatric curriculum. The aim of our study was to collect medical students’ perception on this novel assessment.Methods This is a qualitative study that includes 9 focus groups among the 215 students who participated in either a pediatric or an emergency medicine simulation-based-course. These sessions ended by an assessment on a manikin. Among the 40 students who were randomly selected to participate in the focus groups, 30 agreed to participate. Data were analyzed using grounded theory and, data were coded the by two independent investigators.Results Seven major and two minor themes emerged from the focus groups. The importance of being certified by simulation to be more self-confident in hospital clerkships, the perception of simulation-based assessment as a high quality assessment, the contribution of the simulation-based assessment to change students’ practices and enhance their engagement in their curriculum and a disappointment because simulation-based assessment didn’t help student for the faculty high stakes assessments. Some students also found that simulation-based assessment was a stressful and unfair exercise. The last discussion was about practical issues of the assessment such as this normative way, and about the importance of the feedback.Conclusion The students reported positive aspects of the simulation-based assessment method such as helpful for their hospital clerkship, change of their practices and way of learning. However they also reported that it might be a biased and a stressful assessment method.

scholarly journals Developing a recovery-focused therapy for older people with bipolar disorder: a qualitative focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049829
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Tyler ◽  
Fiona Lobban ◽  
Rita Long ◽  
Steven H Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

ObjectivesAs awareness of bipolar disorder (BD) increases and the world experiences a rapid ageing of the population, the number of people living with BD in later life is expected to rise substantially. There is no current evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for older adults with BD. This focus group study explored a number of topics to inform the development and delivery of a recovery-focused therapy (RfT) for older adults with BD.DesignA qualitative focus group study.SettingThree focus groups were conducted at a university in the North West of England.ParticipantsEight people took part in the focus groups; six older adults with BD, one carer and one friend.ResultsParticipant’s responses clustered into six themes: (1) health-related and age-related changes in later life, (2) the experience of BD in later life, (3) managing and coping with BD in later life, (4) recovery in later life, (5) seeking helping in the future and (6) adapting RfT for older people.ConclusionsParticipants reported a range of health-related and age-related changes and strategies to manage their BD. Participants held mixed views about using the term ‘recovery’ in later life. Participants were in agreement that certain adaptations were needed for delivering RfT for older adults, based on their experience of living with BD in later life. The data collected as part of the focus groups have led to a number of recommendations for delivering RfT for older adults with BD in a randomised controlled trial (Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN13875321).

scholarly journals Perceptions of Malaysian medical students from different academic years on primary care: a qualitative research

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000188
Author(s):  
Sook Ching Chan ◽  
Jaya Vinoshairine Ganeson ◽  
Jee Tat Ong ◽  
Sandheep Sugathan
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Primary Care Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Career Pathway

ObjectiveTo explore the perception of medical students from a private medical college in Perak, Malaysia, on primary care practice and induce the factors influencing their perception and willingness to consider primary care as a career pathway.DesignQualitative study using focus group discussions. Participants’ responses were audio recorded, transcribed, grouped under various domains and listed out and analysed.SettingA private medical college in Perak state, Malaysia.ParticipantsForty-six medical students from years 2 to 5 were included. Eight focus groups were formed with two focus groups from each academic year (six students each in seven groups and four students in one group). Students were informed through their respective student leader of each year and received a participant information sheet and an informed consent form which were completed and returned if they decided to participate in the focus group discussions.ResultsThe participants had different levels of understanding of primary care depending on their level of exposure to primary care. Senior students with more exposure had a better understanding about primary care and its services. Attractive factors towards choosing primary care as a career included short working hours with a more balanced family and social life, being able to treat patients as a whole with continuity of care and closer relationship with patients. Unattractive factors included routine, unchallenging and boring practice, poor salary, work overload and administrative work in government clinics, being less recognised by other specialties; and the poor perception by other doctors that those pursuing primary care were not ‘brilliant enough’ for more ‘sophisticated disciplines like surgery or paediatrics’.ConclusionThis study showed that the medical students’ level of exposure to primary care played a crucial role in determining their understanding of primary care practice and their choice of career in primary care. Issues to be addressed include remuneration, workload and the prejudice against primary care as a career pathway. Suggestions included introducing early exposure to fun and challenging primary care postings in the medical curriculum and producing well trained, skilled and enthusiastic role models.

scholarly journals Adult smokers’ perceptions of cigarette pack inserts promoting cessation: a focus group study

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crawford Moodie
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Educational Material ◽  
Promotional Material ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Stop Smoking ◽  
Cigarette Pack ◽  
The Government ◽  
Cigarette Packs ◽  
Do So

IntroductionTobacco companies have a long tradition of including promotional material within cigarette packs, such as cigarette cards and coupons. Only in Canada are they required, by the government, to include educational material within cigarette packs, in the form of inserts highlighting the benefits of quitting or providing tips on how to do so.MethodsTwenty focus groups were conducted in Glasgow and Edinburgh in 2015, with smokers (n=120) segmented by age (16–17, 18–24, 25–35, 36–50, >50), gender and social grade, to explore perceptions of the inserts used in Canada.ResultsThe consensus was that these inserts would capture attention and be read due to their novelty and visibility before reaching the cigarettes, and as they can be removed from the pack. While they may be ignored or discarded, and rotation was considered necessary, they were generally thought to prolong the health message. The positive style of messaging was described as refreshing, educational, encouraging, reassuring and inspirational and thought to increase message engagement. It was regarded as more sympathetic than command-style messaging, offering smokers ‘a bit of hope’. The inserts were often considered preferable to the on-pack warnings, although it was felt that both were needed. Some participants suggested that inserts could encourage them to stop smoking, and they were generally viewed as having the potential to alter the behaviour of others, particularly younger people, would-be smokers and those wanting to quit.ConclusionsInserts are an inexpensive means of communication and offer regulators a simple way of supplementing on-pack warnings.

scholarly journals Aesthetically Designing Video-Call Technology With Care Home Residents: A Focus Group Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonam Zamir ◽  
Felicity Allman ◽  
Catherine Hagan Hennessy ◽  
Adrian Haffner Taylor ◽  
Ray Brian Jones
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Technological Intervention

BackgroundVideo-calls have proven to be useful for older care home residents in improving socialization and reducing loneliness. Nonetheless, to facilitate the acceptability and usability of a new technological intervention, especially among people with dementia, there is a need for user-led design improvements. The current study conducted focus groups with an embedded activity with older people to allow for a person-centered design of a video-call intervention.MethodsTwenty-eight residents across four care homes in the South West of England participated in focus groups to aesthetically personalize and ‘dress-up’ the equipment used in a video-call intervention. Each care home was provided with a ‘Skype on Wheels’ (SoW) device, a wheelable ‘chassis’ comprising an iPad or tablet for access to Skype, and a telephone handset. During the focus group, residents were encouraged to participate in an activity using colorful materials to ‘dress-up’ SoW. Comments before, during and after the ‘dress up’ activity were audio recorded. Framework analysis was used to analyze the focus group data.ResultsOlder people, including seven with dementia were able to interact with and implement design changes to SoW through aesthetic personalization. Themes arising from the data included estrangement, anthropomorphism, reminiscence, personalization, need for socialization versus fear of socialization and attitudes toward technology. After this brief exposure to SoW, residents expressed the likelihood of using video-calls for socialization in the future.ConclusionCare home residents enjoy engaging with new technologies when given the opportunity to interact with it, to personalize it and to understand its purpose. Low cost aesthetic personalization of technologies can improve their acceptability, usability, and implementation within complex care environments.

scholarly journals Moving Forward from the “Boot Camp Method” To Learning-Curve Development in Simulation-Based Paracentesis Training For Undergraduate Medical Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Inzunza ◽  
Rodrigo Tejos ◽  
Ignacio Villagrán ◽  
Eduardo Fuentes ◽  
Caterina Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Curve ◽  
Boot Camp ◽  
Learning Curves ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Skills Acquisition ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Skills Retention ◽  
Skill Scores ◽  
Simulation Based

Abstract Background: Abdominal paracentesis is an essential competence for physicians. Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) programs lead to developing these skills for medical students. Most programs are structured as short boot-camps, without assessing skills' retention mid and long-term or learning curves.Aim: To assess the learning curve of paracentesis through an SBML program for medical students and compare this learning curve-based program with the boot-camp method.Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted. A cohort of medical students participated in an SBML program with successive sessions until proficiency criteria were met while their learning curve was assessed (LC group). A control group received an SBML boot-camp intervention (BC group). As a proficient group, gastroenterology fellows (GF group) performed a paracentesis on the simulated model. The skills of the three groups were compared using technical/proficiency scores. Learning curves and cost analysis were performed.Results: 100% of the LC group achieved proficiency in the fourth session, with a flattening learning curve between third-fourth sessions. Comparing the initial and final sessions of LC group showed a significant improvement in their scores. When comparing the three groups, statistical differences were found in the skill scores, with the BC group having the lowest. The overall cost per participant was highest for the LC group.Conclusion: This study identifies a learning curve for paracentesis with an SBML program. The LC group significantly improved their skills, comparable with the GF group’s performance. SBML focused on a learning curve ensured better skills acquisition than the “boot-camp method.”

scholarly journals Medical students’ satisfaction with the Applied Basic Clinical Seminar with Scenarios for Students, a novel simulation-based learning method in Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panteleimon Pantelidis ◽  
Nikolaos Staikoglou ◽  
Georgios Paparoidamis ◽  
Christos Drosos ◽  
Stefanos Karamaroudis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Feedback Questionnaire ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Lecture Session ◽  
Case Based

Purpose: The integration of simulation-based learning (SBL) methods holds promise for improving the medical education system in Greece. The Applied Basic Clinical Seminar with Scenarios for Students (ABCS3) is a novel two-day SBL course that was designed by the Scientific Society of Hellenic Medical Students. The ABCS3 targeted undergraduate medical students and consisted of three core components: the case-based lectures, the ABCDE hands-on station, and the simulation-based clinical scenarios. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general educational environment of the course, as well as the skills and knowledge acquired by the participants. Methods: Two sets of questions were distributed to the participants: the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire and an internally designed feedback questionnaire (InEv). A multiple-choice examination was also distributed prior to the course and following its completion. A total of 176 participants answered the DREEM questionnaire, 56 the InEv, and 60 the MCQs. Results: The overall DREEM score was 144.61(±28.05) out of 200. Delegates who participated in both the case-based lectures and the interactive scenarios core components scored higher than those who only completed the case-based lecture session (P=0.038). The mean overall feedback score was 4.12(±0.56) out of 5. Students scored significantly higher on the post-test than on the pre-test (P<0.001). Conclusion: The ABCS3 was found to be an effective SBL program, as medical students reported positive opinions about their experiences and exhibited improvements in their clinical knowledge and skills.

scholarly journals Exploring Risk Perception and Behaviours at the Intersection of Flood Events and Private Groundwater Supplies: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3467
Author(s):  
Cillian P. McDowell ◽  
Luisa Andrade ◽  
Viviana Re ◽  
Jean O’Dwyer ◽  
Paul D. Hynds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Water Testing ◽  
Flooding Events

Flooding events can inflict major disruption on society and cause significant infrastructural and environmental damage. However, the adverse health impacts of flooding, particularly as they pertain to private groundwater resources used for consumption, are frequently overlooked. Whilst the literature has previously found a lack of well stewardship among private well owners under ‘normal’ conditions, our understanding of private well owners’ perceptions of and preparedness for the risks posed by flooding to their domestic well-water supply is limited. This study advances the qualitative literature on this subject. It is amongst the first qualitative studies employing focus groups to examine private well owners, and the first in an Irish context. Six focus groups were conducted in four counties in Ireland, with the themes emerging from the focus groups refined, organised, and interpreted in the context of the Health Belief Model. Most focus group participants expressed awareness of the potential severity of well contamination following flooding, but many did not consider their local area “at risk” of it, notwithstanding the occurrence of previous local flooding events. All focus group participants shared the view that owners were primarily responsible for their own wells. However, their capacity to undertake appropriate actions was reduced by reliance on visual and olfactory evidence to assess water quality, and concerns regarding the financial cost and accessibility of water testing facilities. The phenomenon of misperception was also evident among participants. In light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events including flooding, these findings provide direction for future socio-hydrogeological interventions. Targeted communication strategies highlighting the risks posed by flooding, mitigation measures that promote well stewardship, and protective behaviours are required. The provision of access to free well water testing would also promote protective actions.

scholarly journals Education and training policies for research integrity: Insights from a focus group study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishma Labib ◽  
Natalie Evans ◽  
Rea Scepanovic ◽  
Panagiotis Kavouras ◽  
Andrea Reyez Elizondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Formal Element ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis ◽  
And Training

Education is important for fostering research integrity (RI). Although RI training (a formal element of RI education) is increasingly provided, there is little knowledge on how research stakeholders view institutional RI education and training policies. Here, we present insights about research stakeholders’ views on what research institutions should take into account when developing and implementing RI education and training policies. We conducted 30 focus groups, engaging 147 participants in 8 European countries. Using a mixed deductive-inductive thematic analysis, we identified five themes: 1) RI education should be available to all; 2) education and training approaches and goals should be tailored; 3) motivating trainees is essential; 4) both formal and informal educational formats are necessary; and 5) institutions should take into account various individual, institutional, and system-of-science factors when implementing RI education. Our findings suggest that institutions should make RI education attractive for all, and tailor training to disciplinary-specific contexts.

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