scholarly journals The Overlap Between Rural Hospital Needs and Medical Student Goals in Texas

PRiMER ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler W. Barreto ◽  
Alvin Estacio ◽  
Paula Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Rural Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hospital Administrators ◽  
Hospital Administrator ◽  
Rural Health Workforce

Introduction: The rural health workforce in the United States is difficult to maintain and harder to increase. This may contribute to worse health outcomes in rural areas and threaten the sustainability of rural hospitals. Previous studies have attempted to identify medical student characteristics and strategies to help grow this workforce. In this study, we aimed to understand the needs of medical students and hospital administrators to identify potential strategies to improve the rural health workforce. Methods: We conducted medical student and hospital administrator focus groups. We analyzed focus group data separately to identify themes, and reviewed these themes for overlap between groups and potential actionable areas. We calculated Cohen 𝜅 statistics. Results: We identified 26 themes in the medical student focus groups, and 14 themes in the hospital administrator focus group. Of these themes, three were identical between groups (scope of practice, loan repayment and financial concerns, and exposure to rural health in training), and two were similar between the groups (family and leadership). Conclusion: The identification of two themes that are similar but not identical between medical students and hospital administrators may serve as part of future strategies to improving rural physician recruitment. Future studies should determine if a shift in language or focus in these areas specifically help to improve the rural health workforce.

scholarly journals Online multidisciplinary integrated rural healthcare education programs during the COVID-19 pandemic for students from different universities: experiences and guidelines

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Barraclough ◽  
Sabrina Pit
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Teaching Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural Health Workforce

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to “forced innovation” in the health education industry. High-quality training of the future rural health workforce is crucial to ensure a pipeline of rural health practitioners to meet the needs of rural communities. This paper describes the implementation of an online multidisciplinary teaching program focusing on integrated care and the needs of rural communities.Design/methodology/approachA multidisciplinary teaching program was adapted to allow students from various disciplines and universities to learn together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemporary issues such as the National Aged Care Advocacy Program for Residential Aged Care COVID-19 Project were explored during the program.FindingsThis case study describes how the program was adopted, how learning needs were met, practical examples (e.g. the Hand Hygiene Advocacy within a Rural School Setting Project), the challenges faced and solutions developed to address these challenges. Guidelines are proposed for remote multidisciplinary learning among health professional students, including those in medical, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health disciplines.Originality/valueThe originality of this program centers around students from multiple universities and disciplines and various year levels learning together in a rural area over an extended period of time. Collaboration among universities assists educators in rural areas to achieve critical mass to teach students. In addition it provides experiences and guidance for the work integrated learning sector, rural health workforce practitioners, rural clinical schools, universities, policy makers, and educators who wish to expand rural online multidisciplinary learning.

Perspectives on Rural Health Workforce Issues: Illinois-Arkansas Comparison

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin MacDowell ◽  
Michael Glasser ◽  
Michael Fitts ◽  
Mel Fratzke ◽  
Karen Peters
Keyword(s):  
Rural Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Workforce Issues ◽  
Rural Health Workforce

scholarly journals Benefits of focus group discussions beyond online surveys in course evaluations by medical students in the United States: a qualitative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Katharina Brandl ◽  
Soniya V. Rabadia ◽  
Alexander Chang ◽  
Jess Mandel
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Student Evaluation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Course Evaluations ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Evaluation Team ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Course Changes ◽  
Collection Methods

In addition to online questionnaires, many medical schools use supplemental evaluation tools such as focus groups to evaluate their courses. Although some benefits of using focus groups in program evaluation have been described, it is unknown whether these inperson data collection methods provide sufficient additional information beyond online evaluations to justify them. In this study, we analyze recommendations gathered from student evaluation team (SET) focus group meetings and analyzed whether these items were captured in open-ended comments within the online evaluations. Our results indicate that online evaluations captured only 49% of the recommendations identified via SETs. Surveys to course directors identified that 74% of the recommendations exclusively identified via the SETs were implemented within their courses. Our results indicate that SET meetings provided information not easily captured in online evaluations and that these recommendations resulted in actual course changes.

scholarly journals 980. Using Videoconferencing with the Clinical Microbiology Lab to Enhance Medical Student Learning During Clinical Rotations

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S41-S41
Author(s):  
Peter Chin-Hong ◽  
Brian Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Workflow ◽  
Medical Student Learning

Abstract Background Preclinical medical student learning in the microbiology laboratory traditionally focuses on enhancing understanding of microbiology but less on understanding clinical workflow. During a novel course that revisited foundational sciences during clerkships, we designed a virtual microbiology laboratory session to enhance understanding and familiarity with clinical workflow on testing of patient samples. Methods The virtual microbiology laboratory sessions were conducted twice in 2018, each including 80 third-year medical students. Clinical cases were used to build upon foundational knowledge. We live-streamed video and audio content from the clinical microbiology laboratory to a remote classroom via the Zoom videoconferencing platform. We conducted the session as a tour and lively interview with microbiology staff who explained the processing as well as diagnostic testing Methods. Students were able to ask questions. To evaluate the sessions we (1) distributed a quantitative survey using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = strongly agree) and (2) conducted focus groups with learners. Qualitative data were analyzed using open and axial coding. Results In a questionnaire administered to 160 students, 74% of respondents agreed that the technical aspects and faculty in the session provided the feeling on a “hands-on” tour. Of the respondents, 58% reported that they would be more likely to contact the microbiology laboratory team for help in ordering or interpreting various laboratory tests. In focus groups, learner reflections reinforced the ability of this format to ensure standardization with each student getting to clearly see the demonstration and hear instructor perspectives. Students also appreciated the linear approach of following a specimen from arrival to the laboratory, a better understanding of the laboratory staff and their roles in performing and interpreting laboratory tests. The live feed could be enhanced further by better audio and video synchronization and by reducing ambient noise. Conclusion Videoconferencing with the clinical microbiology laboratory can be used to effectively teach microbiology and infectious diseases content to advanced medical students. Whether this exposure to the microbiology laboratory can enhance patient care outcomes requires further study. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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 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 Teaching Pediatric Otoscopy Skills to the Medical Student in the Clinical Setting: Preceptor Perspectives and Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Rose Paul ◽  
Alanna Higgins Joyce ◽  
Gary Beck Dallaghan ◽  
Meg Keeley ◽  
Corinne Lehmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinical Teaching ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Clinical Skill ◽  
Acute Otitis Media ◽  
The United States ◽  
Direct Patient Care ◽  
Barriers To Teaching

Abstract Background Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most frequent indication for antibiotic treatment of children in the United States. Its diagnosis relies on visualization of the tympanic membrane, a clinical skill acquired through a deliberate approach. Instruction in pediatric otoscopy begins in medical school. Medical students receive their primary experience with pediatric otoscopy during the required pediatric clerkship, traditionally relying on an immersion, apprentice-type learning model. A better understanding of their preceptors’ clinical and teaching practices could lead to improved skill acquisition. This study investigates how pediatric preceptors (PP) and members of the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) perceive teaching otoscopy. Methods A 30-item online survey was administered to a purposeful sample of PP at six institutions in 2017. A comparable 23-item survey was administered to members through the 2018 COMSEP Annual Survey. Only COMSEP members who identified themselves as teaching otoscopy to medical students were asked to complete the otoscopy-related questions on the survey. Results Survey respondents included 58% of PP (180/310) and 44% (152/348) of COMSEP members. Forty-one percent (62/152) of COMSEP member respondents identified themselves as teaching otoscopy and completed the otoscopy-related questions. The majority agreed that standardized curricula are needed (PP 78%, COMSEP members 97%) and that all graduating medical students should be able to perform pediatric otoscopy (PP 95%, COMSEP members 79%). Most respondents reported usefulness of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) AOM guidelines (PP 95%, COMSEP members 100%). More COMSEP members than PP adhered to the AAP’s diagnostic criteria (pediatric preceptors 42%, COMSEP members 93%). The most common barriers to teaching otoscopy were a lack of assistive technology (PP 77%, COMSEP members 56%), presence of cerumen (PP 58%, COMSEP members 60%), time to teach in direct patient care (PP 46%, COMSEP members 48%), and parent anxiety (PP 62%, COMSEP members 54%). Conclusions Our study identified systemic and individual practice patterns and barriers to teaching pediatric otoscopy. These results can inform education leaders in supporting and enabling preceptors in their clinical teaching. This approach can be adapted to ensure graduating medical students obtain intended core clinical skills.

A Multicenter Qualitative Analysis of Medical Student Narratives After a Palliative Care Elective

2020 ◽  
pp. 104990912097156
Author(s):  
Alana Sagin ◽  
Matthew S. Ellman ◽  
Ruhi R. Shariff ◽  
Christopher A. Jones ◽  
Kate Tindall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Patient’S Experience ◽  
Fourth Year Medical Students

Background: The medical student experience of a clinical elective in palliative care (PC) remains understudied. Reflective narrative interventions can help students hone narrative competency skills, make sense of their clinical experiences and shed light on their perception of the rotation. Objectives: To evaluate medical student written reflections after a PC clinical elective. Design: Students were asked to write a short reflective essay after PC clinical electives using open-ended writing prompts. Setting: Essays were collected from third and fourth-year medical students after completion of a PC elective at three geographically diverse academic medical centers in the United States. Measurements: Essays were coded for themes using a conventional content qualitative method of analysis. Results: Thirty-four essays were analyzed and four major themes emerged: reflection on the mission of medicine or motivation for being in medicine, reflection on professional skills or lessons learned, reflection on patient’s experience and personal responses to PC rotation. Sub-themes were also identified. Conclusions: Themes underscore the utility of the PC clinical elective as a meaningful experience that imparts useful skills, builds empathy, reminds students of their own motivations for being in medicine and serves as a catalyst for reflection on their own lives and relationships with their patients. Awareness of medical students’ personal and emotional responses to a PC elective can help inform educators as they support their students and provide opportunities for reflection and education.

The Medical Student Experience in the Era of COVID-19: Reflections on the Transformation of Medical Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Terry ◽  
Janet Miller ◽  
Stephanie Rodriguez ◽  
Mairin Haley ◽  
Sivan Ben-Maimon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Student Wellness ◽  
Medical Education Reform

Abstract Phenomenon: The American medical student perspective on the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in terms of its effects on medical education and future curricular approach, is valuable. This study seeks to provide future physicians with a voice to share their personal experience with distance learning and suggestions for medical education reform in the era of COVID-19. Approach: A virtual focus group of medical students was conducted on April 30, 2020. Each student was asked to broadly and candidly reflect on their personal experiences relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to specifically expound upon how their personal growth and medical education has been impacted. Consent was obtained. Data was coded by key ideas and themes. The content of the discussion was analyzed. Findings: Seven third-year medical students attending a United States traditional school of medicine consented to participate. All participants provided extensive responses to the question. The focus group lasted for 2 hours. The group expounded upon five self-initiated themes: guilt, anxiety, self-awareness, volunteerism, and autonomy. Analysis of these themes from the context of medical student wellness and the future of medical curricula led to the conclusion that three general concepts should be emphasized in reforming medical education. Insights: The coronavirus pandemic has uniquely affected medical students. Their perspectives can inform medical education reform relative to curricular design and student wellness. Key concepts to consider include prioritizing routine virtual delivery of content through innovative technology, encouraging increased student autonomy and self-directed learning through less prescriptive schedules, and emphasizing reflection training and sharing.

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