Activated learning; providing structure in global health education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)– a pilot study

BMC Medical Education

Research Article

Gitanjli Arora¹  Risa Hoffman¹  Jaime Jordan²  Wendy Coates² 

[1] David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095, Los Angeles, CA, USA;David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095, Los Angeles, CA, USA;Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St, 90502, Torrance, CA, USA;Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA, 1124 W Carson St, 90502, Torrance, CA, USA;

关键词: Global health education;    Undergraduate medical education;    Global health;    Medical student;    Curriculum development;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-016-0581-9

 received in 2015-07-15, accepted in 2016-02-04,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundGlobal health rotations are increasingly popular amongst medical students. The training abroad is highly variable and there is a recognized need for global health curriculum development. We sought to create and evaluate a curriculum, applicable to any global health rotation, that requires students to take an active role in their education and promotes engagement.MethodsProspective, observational, mixed method study of 4th year medical students enrolled in global health courses at UCLA in 2011–12. Course directors identified 4 topics common to all rotations (traditional medicine, health systems, limited resources, pathology) and developed activities for students to complete abroad: observation, interview and reflection on resources, pathology, medical practices; and compare/contrast their experience with the US healthcare system. Students posted responses on a discussion board moderated by US faculty. After the rotation, students completed an anonymous internet-based evaluative survey. Responses were tabulated. Qualitative data from discussion board postings and free response survey items were analyzed using the framework method.Results14 (100 %) students completed the Activated Learning assignment. 12 submitted the post rotation survey (85.7 %). Activated Learning enhanced GH education for 67 % and facilitated engagement in the local medical culture for 67 %. Qualitative analysis of discussion board posting demonstrated multiple areas of knowledge gain and analysis of free response survey items revealed 5 major themes supporting Activated Learning: guided learning, stimulation of discussion, shared interactions, cultural understanding, and knowledge of global healthcare systems. Increased interactivity emerged as the major theme for future improvement.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that an Activated Learning program may enhance education, standardize curricular objectives across multiple sites and promote engagement in local medical culture, pathology and delivery systems. Increased interaction between students and faculty may augment the impact of such a program.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Jordan et al. 2016