Comparing different methods of learning in the development of social accountability and CanMEDS roles in medical students

Main Article Content

Alvin H. Ip
Jerry C. Ku
Wayne Hung
Jane A. Buxton

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: Medical students at the University of British Columbia undertake a population health course that aims to cultivate social accountability and CanMEDS roles. Students choose between Discussion Group Option (DGO), Community Service Learning Option (CSLO), or Self-Directed Project Option (SDPO). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of these three different learning options in developing social accountability and CanMEDS roles in medical students.

Methods: Expert consultation and literature review were undertaken to develop a self-report survey. Students who had completed the course from 2009 to 2013 were surveyed. The results were analyzed to evaluate differences between groups.

Results: We recruited 168 participants with equal representation from each option. CSLO and SDPO students reported greater development of social accountability and CanMEDS roles from the course compared to DGO students. In addition, CSLO and SDPO students reported greater academic output and satisfaction from their experience.

Conclusion: Students who participated in community-based or project-based learning reported significantly better acquisition of social accountability and CanMEDS roles compared to students who engaged in group discussion. 

Résumé

Objectif: Les étudiants en médecine de l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique suivent un cours sur la santé de la population qui vise à cultiver la responsabilité sociale et les rôles CanMEDS. Les étudiants choisissent entre l’option de discussion de groupe (DGO, de l’anglais), l’option d’apprentissage par l’engagement communautaire (CSLO, de l’anglais) ou l’option de projet autonome (SDPO, de l’anglais). L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer l’efficacité de ces trois options d’apprentissage différentes pour le développement de la responsabilité sociale et des rôles CanMEDS chez les étudiants en médecine.

Méthodes: Des consultations d’experts et une revue de la littérature ont été entreprises afin de concevoir un sondage d’autodéclaration. Les étudiants ayant complété le cours de 2009 à 2013 ont été interrogés. Les résultats ont été analysés afin d’évaluer les différences entre les groupes.

Résultats: Nous avons recruté 168 participants, avec une représentation égale pour chaque option. Les étudiants des groupes CSLO et SDPO ont déclaré plus de développement de leur sens de responsabilité sociale et des rôles CanMEDS à la suite du cours, en comparaison aux étudiants du groupe DGO. De plus, les étudiants des groupes CSLO et SDPO ont rapporté un plus grand nombre de réalisations scolaires et une meilleure satisfaction par rapport à leur expérience.

Conclusion: Les étudiants qui ont participé à l’apprentissage par l’engagement communautaire ou par l’entremise d’un projet autonome ont rapporté une acquisition nettement meilleure de la responsabilité sociale et des rôles CanMEDS, en comparaison aux étudiants qui ont participé à une discussion de groupe. 


Article Details

Section
Original Research
Author Biographies

Alvin H. Ip, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Jerry C. Ku, Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Wayne Hung, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Jane A. Buxton, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

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