Gabrielle M. Finn

‘You’re judged all the time!’ Students’ views on professionalism: a multicentre study

Medical Education 2010: 44: 814–825

The Conscientiousness Index: A Novel Tool to Explore Students' Professionalism

Purpose Measuring professional behavior is problematic not least because the concept of professionalism is difficult to define. The authors describe a measurement tool that does not rely on qualitative judgments from respondents but, nonetheless, clearly correlates with individuals’ subjective views about what constitutes professional behavior. Method The authors devised the Conscientiousness Index (CI) of medical students’ performance in years 1 (n = 116) and 2 (n = 108) in 2006-2007. The CI scores were based on a range of objective measures of conscientiousness, including attendance and submission of required information (such as immunization status or summative assessments) by a deadline. The validity of this instrument was tested against (1) staff views of the professional behavior of individual students and (2) critical incident reports. Results The trait of conscientiousness, as measured by the CI, showed good correlation with the construct of professionalism as perceived by staff views of individual students’ professional behavior. There was also a relationship with the frequency of critical incident reporting. Together, these observations support the validity of the approach. Reliability and practicality were also acceptable. Conclusions The results suggest that the CI measures a scalar objective trait that corresponds well with professional behavior as perceived by staff members in an undergraduate medical school. The individual decisions making up the CI are objective and easy to collect, making it a relatively simple and uncontroversial method for exploring students’ professionalism.

The Anatomical Society core regional anatomy syllabus for undergraduate medicine

The Anatomical Societys core syllabus for anatomy (2003 and later refined in 2007) set out a series of learning outcomes that an individual medical student should achieve on graduation. The core syllabus, with 182 learning outcomes grouped in body regions, referenced in the General Medical Councils Teaching Tomorrows Doctors, was open to criticism on the grounds that the learning outcomes were generated by a relatively small group of anatomists, albeit some of whom were clinically qualified. We have therefore used a modified Delphi technique to seek a wider consensus. A Delphi panel was constructed involving ‘experts’ (n = 39). The revised core syllabus of 156 learning outcomes presented here is applicable to all medical programmes and may be used by curriculum planners, teachers and students alike in addressing the perennial question: ‘What do I need to know ?’

Peer estimation of lack of professionalism correlates with low Conscientiousness Index scores.

Context  Measures of professionalism in undergraduate medical students are generally subjective in nature, and based on limited observations of behaviours in observed settings. We have previously described an objective scalar measure of conscientiousness over many occasions, and shown that it correlates with independent faculty estimates of students’ professionalism. In this study we test the hypothesis that these measures of conscientiousness relate to independent peer estimates of professionalism, and explore the relationships between conscientiousness, and gender and educational background.

Virtual human dissector as a learning tool for studying cross-sectional anatomy

Background: Within diagnostic medicine there is a continuing and marked increase in the use of two-dimensional (2D) images of cross-sectional anatomy. Medical undergraduates should therefore develop skills to interpret such images early in their education. The Virtual Human Dissector© (VHD) software facilitates such learning, permitting users to study actual images of 2D anatomical cross-sections and reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) views simultaneously. This study investigates the use of VHD in facilitating students’ ability to interpret cross-sectional images and understand the relationships between anatomical structures. Methods: First year medical students (n = 89) were randomly divided into two groups. Using a crossover design, the investigation was undertaken as two 20 minute self-directed learning (SDL) activities using VHD in a computer suite and prosections and models in the dissecting room (DR), interspersed between 3 tests identifying anatomical structures in cross-sectional images (pre-, mid- and post-session). Results: Statistical analysis of test performance revealed significant improvements in each group between the pre- and mid-session tests, and again between mid- and post-session tests. There was no significant difference between the two groups at any stage. SDL using the VHD was as effective as SDL using prosections.

Twelve tips for teaching with ultrasound in the undergraduate curriculum

With ever increasing use of imaging as a diagnostic tool in medicine, medical schools are being urged to further integrate imaging into their curricula. Ultrasound is one such way of doing so-enabling students to bridge the gap between form and function, medical school and clinical practice. As a non-invasive imaging technique, with low risk when compared to other methods of imaging, ultrasound is ideal for integration into basic science and clinical teaching. The twelve tips given in this article offer advice on the practicalities of running a successful ultrasound imaging session in an appropriate environment, promoting safety and curriculum integration.

Twelve tips for implementing a successful peer assessment.

Following a multi-institutional research project, the authors formulated 12 tips for the successful implementation of peer assessment in a health-based setting. These tips relate to planning, delivery and feedback. They also offer a wide range of practical guidance and anecdotal evidence relating to peer assessment generally.

Anatomical Society core regional anatomy syllabus for undergraduate medicine: the Delphi process

A modified Delphi method was employed to seek consensus when revising the UK and Irelands core syllabus for regional anatomy in undergraduate medicine. A Delphi panel was constructed involving ‘expert’ (individuals with at least 5 years’ experience in teaching medical students anatomy at the level required for graduation). The panel (n = 39) was selected and nominated by members of Council and/or the Education Committee of the Anatomical Society and included a range of specialists including surgeons, radiologists and anatomists. The experts were asked in two stages to ‘accept’, ‘reject’ or ‘modify’ (first stage only) each learning outcome. A third stage, which was not part of the Delphi method, then allowed the original authors of the syllabus to make changes either to correct any anatomical errors or to make minor syntax changes. From the original syllabus of 182 learning outcomes, removing the neuroanatomy component (163), 23 learning outcomes (15%) remained unchanged, seven learning outcomes were removed and two new learning outcomes added. The remaining 133 learning outcomes were modified. All learning outcomes on the new core syllabus achieved over 90% acceptance by the panel.

The impact of wearing scrubs on contextual learning

Background: Godden and Baddeley () suggested strong contextual influence on recall, suggesting learning in an educational context might not transfer well to practice. Aim: To explore the impact of an authentic context (wearing hospital scrubs) on learning and recall. Methods: 82 first year medical students sat a pre-test on renal gross anatomy and imaging, to establish prior knowledge, wearing their own clothes. Students wore either scrubs or their own clothes for the first teaching session on renal gross anatomy. A mid-test on this topic was completed immediately after the teaching session. Students then changed into opposite clothing and attended a self-directed session on renal imaging. An imaging specific mid-test was completed. 5 weeks later students completed two post-tests (gross anatomy and imaging) in their own clothes. Tests were online. Results: Data were analysed using paired t-tests. Results showed no significant difference between test performance immediately after the teaching session, but a significant improvement (p = 0.04) on recall between groups tested in the same clothing versus testing in different clothing. The effect size of the teaching intervention was 0.27, a ‘moderate’ effect in teaching terms. Conclusions: Students examined in the same context as they were taught recalled significantly more information.

Twelve tips for running a successful body painting teaching session

Body painting in the medical education context is the painting of internal structures on the surface of the body with high verisimilitude. Body painting has many educational benefits, from the obvious acquisition of anatomical knowledge, to the less obvious benefits of improved communication skills and greater body awareness. As with any activity, which involves physical examination and undressing, sensitive delivery is imperative. The 12 tips given in this article offer advice on the practicalities of running a successful body painting session in a supportive environment, thus promoting maximum student participation.