Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study

Background: The increasing disease burden in Africa requires medical graduates to have problem-solving abilities. Interviews were conducted to assess module convenors’ perspectives on evidence-based health care (EBHC) teaching and learning. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used. Faculty c...

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Main Authors: Taryn Young, Anke Rohwer, Jimmy Volmink, Mike Clarke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2015-11-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4317
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author Taryn Young
Anke Rohwer
Jimmy Volmink
Mike Clarke
author_facet Taryn Young
Anke Rohwer
Jimmy Volmink
Mike Clarke
author_sort Taryn Young
collection DOAJ
description Background: The increasing disease burden in Africa requires medical graduates to have problem-solving abilities. Interviews were conducted to assess module convenors’ perspectives on evidence-based health care (EBHC) teaching and learning. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used. Faculty convening medical undergraduate teaching modules were purposively sampled. Data collection was done using focus-group or individual interviews. Trained interviewers conducted interviews. Investigators conducted data analysis and interpretation. Results: Five focus groups and 10 individual interviews were conducted with convenors responsible for theory and clinical modules across various disciplines. Interviewees felt that EBHC teaching and learning were not optimal and indicated varying support for enhancing this. They identified various factors to be considered: contextual factors within the faculty (e.g. recognition for teaching), health sector issues (e.g. clinical workload), access to research, lecturer factors (e.g. competing priorities) and learners (e.g. motivation). They emphasised the key roles of lecturers as role models. Planning together to identify opportunities to integrate teaching and assessment, while ensuring coherence, clear explicit outcomes and promoting faculty development, was regarded as central to strengthening EBHC teaching and learning. Conclusions: The perspectives of module convenors are key to informing strategies to enhance EBHC teaching and learning.
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spelling doaj.art-5cbaaccf344542c49bd55da16cadfc452022-12-22T03:47:02ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042015-11-0157610.4102/safp.v57i6.43173572Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative studyTaryn Young0Anke Rohwer1Jimmy Volmink2Mike Clarke3Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; and Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape TownCentre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownCentre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; and Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape TownNorthern Ireland Network for Trials Methodology Research, Queen’s University Belfast, BelfastBackground: The increasing disease burden in Africa requires medical graduates to have problem-solving abilities. Interviews were conducted to assess module convenors’ perspectives on evidence-based health care (EBHC) teaching and learning. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used. Faculty convening medical undergraduate teaching modules were purposively sampled. Data collection was done using focus-group or individual interviews. Trained interviewers conducted interviews. Investigators conducted data analysis and interpretation. Results: Five focus groups and 10 individual interviews were conducted with convenors responsible for theory and clinical modules across various disciplines. Interviewees felt that EBHC teaching and learning were not optimal and indicated varying support for enhancing this. They identified various factors to be considered: contextual factors within the faculty (e.g. recognition for teaching), health sector issues (e.g. clinical workload), access to research, lecturer factors (e.g. competing priorities) and learners (e.g. motivation). They emphasised the key roles of lecturers as role models. Planning together to identify opportunities to integrate teaching and assessment, while ensuring coherence, clear explicit outcomes and promoting faculty development, was regarded as central to strengthening EBHC teaching and learning. Conclusions: The perspectives of module convenors are key to informing strategies to enhance EBHC teaching and learning.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4317evidence based health caremedical studentsteachingundergraduate
spellingShingle Taryn Young
Anke Rohwer
Jimmy Volmink
Mike Clarke
Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
South African Family Practice
evidence based health care
medical students
teaching
undergraduate
title Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
title_full Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
title_short Perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a South African academic institution on medical student training in evidence-based health care: a qualitative study
title_sort perspectives of undergraduate module convenors at a south african academic institution on medical student training in evidence based health care a qualitative study
topic evidence based health care
medical students
teaching
undergraduate
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4317
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