Assessment as Learning in Medical Education: Feasibility and perceived impact of student-generated formative assessments (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
RITU LAKHTAKIA ◽  
Farah Otaki ◽  
Laila Alsuwaidi ◽  
Nabil Zary

BACKGROUND Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a vital competency, desirable to sustain lifelong learning in health professions education. Contemporary education practices emphasize this aspect of undergraduate medical education through innovative designs of teaching and learning like the flipped classroom and team-based learning. Assessment as learning (AaL) can be a unique way to inculcate SRL through active learning habits. It charges the student to create formative assessments reinforcing student-centered deep learning, and critical thinking. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore, from the learners’ perspective, the feasibility and perceived learning impact of student generated formative assessments. METHODS The study relied on a convergent mixed methods approach to research. An educational intervention was deployed on a cohort of students in the second year of a six-year undergraduate medical program as part of a single course curriculum delivery. This AaL intervention engaged students in generating assessments using peer-collaboration, tutor facilitation, and feedback. Quantitative and qualitative data of student perceptions were collected through a survey. Quantitative survey data was analysed using SPSS. Qualitative inputs underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS Students’ overall score of satisfaction with the AaL educational intervention was 84%. On quantitative analysis, this was strongly correlated with scores for ease and impact on a 5-point Likert-type scale. The themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis, included: prominent characteristics, immediate gains, and expected long-term benefits of their engagement. The prominent characteristics included individuals’ engagement, effective interdependencies, novelty, and time requirement. The identified immediate gains highlighted increased motivation, and acquisition of knowledge and skills. The expected long-term benefits, included critical thinking and problem solving, and clinical reasoning. CONCLUSIONS As a form of AaL, student-generated assessments were perceived as viable, constructive, and a stimulating educational exercise by the student-authors. In the short term, the activity provided students a fun, challenging opportunity to deep dive into the content, be creative in designing questions, and improve exam-taking skills. In the long-term students expected an enhancement of critical thinking, and inculcation of student-centred attributes of self-regulated lifelong learning and peer collaboration, vital to the practice of medicine.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Lakhtakia ◽  
Farah Otaki ◽  
Nabil Zary

Abstract Background Self-directed learning is a vital competency, desirable to sustain lifelong competencies in health professions education. Contemporary education practices emphasize this aspect of undergraduate medical education through innovative designs of teaching and learning like the flipped classroom and team-based learning. Assessment as learning can be a unique way to inculcate active learning habits. It charges the student to create formative assessments, reinforcing student-centred deep learning, and critical thinking. This study aims to explore, from a learner perspective, the feasibility and perceived learning impact of student generated formative assessments. Methods The study design employed an educational intervention on a cohort of students in the second year of a six-year undergraduate medical program. The study design involved engaging students' in generating assessments using peer-collaboration, tutor facilitation, and feedback as part of a single course curriculum delivery. The exercise was followed by a mixed methods accrual of student perceptions through surveys. Quantitative survey data was analysed on SPSS. Qualitative inputs underwent thematic analysis. Results Students’ overall score of satisfaction with the educational intervention was 84%. On quantitative analysis, this was strongly correlated with scores for ease and impact on a 5-point Likert scale. The themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis, included: prominent characteristics, immediate gains, and expected long-term benefits of their engagement in preparing the formative assessment. Within the characteristics theme, the following categories emerged: individuals’ engagement, effective interdependencies, novelty, and time requirement. The identified immediate gains included increased motivation, and acquisition of knowledge and skills. As for the expected long-term benefits, they included critical thinking and problem solving, and clinical reasoning. Conclusions As a form of assessment associated learning, student-generated assessments are perceived as viable and constructive, and a stimulating educational exercise by the student-authors. In the short term, the activity constituted for the students a fun, challenging opportunity to deep dive into the content, be creative in designing questions, and improve exam-taking skills. Students expected the long-term effects to include enhancement of critical thinking, and inculcation of student-centred attributes of lifelong learning and peer collaboration, vital to the practice of medicine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Payal Kasat ◽  
Vishwajit Deshmukh ◽  
Gayatri Muthiyan ◽  
Gugapriya T.S. ◽  
Aaditya Tarnekar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Medical education is changing towards more flexible, effective, active and student-centered teaching strategies that reduces the limitations of traditional methods of education. Recently, the flipped classroom method has been suggested to support this transition. However, research on the use of flipped classroom method in medical education is at its early stage and little is known about its effect on students learning in relation to short and long-term retention of the topics. Aims: The present paper aims to study the comparative effect of traditional and flipped classroom method on short-term and long-term memories of first MBBS students in Anatomy with the aid of technology to promote learning. Materials and methods: 50 first year MBBS students were subjected to traditional and flipped classroom module separately. Immediate assessments were done at the completion of the module. Followed by a gap of 2 months, the students were again assessed on the content taught in the module as a part of formative assessment. The data so obtained was compared and analyzed statistically. Result: The assessment scores showed differences between the two methods of teaching in short as well as long term. The flipped classroom method was observed to have significant long-term retention which was evident by assessment scores. Conclusion: The study concludes that flipped classroom method serves as an advantageous tool and motivating factor for effective learning, understanding and retention of conceptual and factual anatomical content. Keywords: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom, teaching learning method


Author(s):  
Mohammad B. Azzam ◽  
Ronald A. Easteal

AbstractClearly, memory and learning are essential to medical education. To make memory and learning more robust and long-term, educators should turn to the advances in neuroscience and cognitive science to direct their efforts. This paper describes the memory pathways and stages with emphasis leading to long-term memory storage. Particular stress is placed on this storage as a construct known as schema. Leading from this background, several pedagogical strategies are described: cognitive load, dual encoding, spiral syllabus, bridging and chunking, sleep consolidation, and retrieval practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110042
Author(s):  
Jenny X. Chen ◽  
Shivani A. Shah ◽  
Vinay K. Rathi ◽  
Mark A. Varvares ◽  
Stacey T. Gray

Graduate medical education (GME) is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through both direct and indirect payments. In recent years, stakeholders have raised concerns about the growth of spending on GME and distribution of payment among hospitals. Key stakeholders have proposed reforms to reduce GME funding such as adjustments to statutory payment formulas and absolute caps on annual payments per resident. Otolaryngology departmental leadership should understand the potential effects of proposed reforms, which could have significant implications for the short-term financial performance and the long-term specialty workforce. Although some hospitals and departments may elect to reduce resident salaries or eliminate positions in the face of GME funding cuts, this approach overlooks the substantial Medicare revenue contributed by resident care and high cost of alternative labor sources. Commitment to resident training is necessary to align both the margin and mission of otolaryngology departments and their sponsoring hospitals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i48-i49
Author(s):  
S Visram ◽  
J Saini ◽  
R Mandvia

Abstract Introduction Opioid class drugs are a commonly prescribed form of analgesic widely used in the treatment of acute, cancer and chronic non-cancer pain. Up to 90% of individuals presenting to pain centres receive opioids, with doctors in the UK prescribing more and stronger opioids (1). Concern is increasing that patients with chronic pain are inappropriately being moved up the WHO ‘analgesic ladder’, originally developed for cancer pain, without considering alternatives to medications, (2). UK guidelines on chronic non-cancer pain management recommend weak opioids as a second-line treatment, when the first-line non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs / paracetamol) ineffective, and for short-term use only. A UK educational outreach programme by the name IMPACT (Improving Medicines and Polypharmacy Appropriateness Clinical Tool) was conducted on pain management. This research evaluated the IMPACT campaign, analysing the educational impact on the prescribing of morphine, tramadol and other high-cost opioids, in the Walsall CCG. Methods Standardised training material was delivered to 50 practices between December 2018 and June 2019 by IMPACT pharmacists. The training included a presentation on pain control, including dissemination of local and national guidelines, management of neuropathic, low back pain and sciatica as well as advice for prescribers on prescribing opioids in long-term pain, with the evidence-base. Prescribing trends in primary care were also covered in the training, and clinicians were provided with resources to use in their practice. Data analysis included reviewing prescribing data and evaluating the educational intervention using feedback from participants gathered via anonymous questionnaires administered at the end of the training. Prescribing data analysis was conducted by Keele University’s Medicines Management team via the ePACT 2 system covering October 2018 to September 2019 (two months before and three months after the intervention) were presented onto graphs to form comparisons in prescribing trends of the Midland CCG compared to England. Results Questionnaires completed at the end of sessions showed high levels of satisfaction, with feedback indicating that participants found the session well presented, successful at highlighting key messages, and effective in using evidence-based practice. 88% of participants agreed the IMPACT campaign increased their understanding of the management and assessment of pain, and prescribing of opioids and other resources available to prescribers. The majority (85%) wished to see this form of education being repeated regularly in the future for other therapeutic areas. Analysis of the prescribing data demonstrated that the total volume of opioid analgesics decreased by 1.7% post-intervention in the Midlands CCG in response to the pharmacist-led educational intervention. As supported by literature, the use of educational strategies, including material dissemination and reminders as well as group educational outreach was effective in engaging clinicians, as demonstrated by the reduction in opioid prescribing and high GP satisfaction in this campaign. Conclusion The IMPACT campaign was effective at disseminating pain-specific guidelines for opioid prescribing to clinicians, leading to a decrease in overall prescribing of opioid analgesics. Educational outreach as an approach is practical and a valuable means to improve prescribing by continuing medical education. References 1. Els, C., Jackson, T., Kunyk, D., Lappi, V., Sonnenberg, B., Hagtvedt, R., Sharma, S., Kolahdooz, F. and Straube, S. (2017). Adverse events associated with medium- and long-term use of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. This provided the statistic of percentage receiving opioids that present to pain centres. 2. Heit, H. (2010). Tackling the Difficult Problem of Prescription Opioid Misuse. Annals of Internal Medicine, 152(11), p.747. Issues with prescriptions and inappropriate moving up the WHO ladder.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-298
Author(s):  
Fábio da Costa Carbogim ◽  
Larissa Bertacchini de Oliveira ◽  
Melina Mafra Toledo ◽  
Flávia Batista Barbosa de Sá Diaz ◽  
Greicy Kelly Gouveia Dias Bittencourt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To present the experience of elaboration and implementation of the Active Teaching Model to Promote Critical Thinking (MEAPC), associated to Problem-Based Learning (PBL), for undergraduate students in Nursing. Method: Case report on the experience of the educational intervention (MEAPC + PBL) with undergraduate students in Nursing, in a 20-hour course on Basic Life Support (BLS). The MEAPC was validated by judges to guide the analysis of clinical cases. Critical Thinking (CT) skills were assessed using the California Critical Thinking Skills Test. Result: The educational intervention took place in two phases: elaboration and implementation, allowing not only the production of knowledge about BLS, but also the development of CT and exchange of experiences for teaching-learning. Conclusion: The association of the MEAPC to the PBL in the course of BLS organized the learning, gave opportunity to acquire knowledge and to stimulate the skills of the CT.


Author(s):  
Anthony Mark Monaghan ◽  
Jake Hudson ◽  
Arion Romanos Alexopoulos

Abstract ‘Flipped learning’ has become increasingly popular in medical education as a means of developing independent learning skills in students. The article by Zheng at al. (2020) highlights the potential utility of this approach in disaster triage training. However, the article also highlights to us some concerns regarding how ‘flipped learning’ may favour certain learners over others in the provision of disaster triage education. Specifically, the article demonstrates the necessity for increased pre-classroom preparation when a ‘flipped classroom’ model is employed which inevitably privileges those with a higher ability to engage with self-directed learning. Whilst such a skill is important to develop in medical education, we fear it may lead to polarised student attainment rather than ensuring a maximum number of students achieve the requisite standard required. More research is consequently needed to inform the most efficacious means of facilitating disaster triage training that supports all students sufficiently whilst also helping to nurture their independent learning skills.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-157
Author(s):  
Hadia Awan

The challenge of teaching a skill-based course online, during pandemic unfolded lasting/ground-breaking opportunities for teachers and students of law alike. For the advocacy skills' training course, a suit for dissolution of marriage was selected and training was divided into 12 steps. The pre-planned semester calendar of the University was followed, but in the virtual learning environment (VLE), sessions were held mostly synchronously by using an indigenized blended learning (BL) model. Station rotation (SR) and the flipped classroom (FC) were also indigenized for effective use. Indigenization of BL was done. SR was done by creating stations comprising research areas involved in the trial for dissolution of a marriage. The FC was used to make students learn lectures beforehand, and all simulations, role-plays and activities were done in class. On-spot grading was done on assessment rubrics by using standard observation forms, generated based on extracted principles. All rubrics and standard forms were shared and discussed with students to build trust in the VLE. The asynchronous mode was also used, but only for the sake of supplemented learning. The grading policy was revised, and the curves of summative and formative assessments were flattened. A total of 45 students were trained, out of whom 26 scored A, four A–, two B, five B+, one B–, one C, one C+, one C– and four got F (for not participating at all). The outcome was encouraging. After completion of the semester, the need assessment survey culminated in a hands-on training session for the Faculty of Law (FoL). Participants designed courses using the BL model and found the methodology effective for future use in regular classes.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 128-134
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Liptak

The Challenge Pediatric care has become exceedingly complex, but no matter how technologically advanced treatments become, they can be only as effective as compliance with their use. Compliance, or adherence, defined as the extent to which a person's behavior coincides with medical or health advice, is crucial for the treatment of illness, the prevention of disease, and the promotion of health. Unfortunately, noncompliance is extremely common. For example, in a study of the use of penicillin for acute otitis media and "strep" throat, Charney et al1 found that only 43% of the children complied with the regimen. Gordis and associates2 found that compliance with penicillin used for chronic rheumatic fever prophylaxis was only 36%. Eney and Goldstein3 showed that compliance with theophylline in children being evaluated in an emergency department for asthma was only 11%. Compliance decreases over the course of treatment, not only for long-term interventions, but for brief ones as well. For example, Bergman and Werner4 found that 56% of individuals being treated with penicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis had stopped taking the medication by day 3, 71% by day 6, and 82% by day 9 of the treatment course. Although compliance is so important, it is largely neglected in medical education, including pediatric residency training.


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