Research

Validation of a questionnaire evaluating the effect of a preparatory year on qualifying students for studying at health professions education faculties

Mohammed Al-Rabia, Lana Al Shawwa, Enas Gouda, Ahmed Aldarmahi, Hani Asfour, Hani Atwa

Abstract


Background. The preparatory year or first-year experience in higher education aims to consistently meet the needs of students, institutions and broader society. It aims to help students transition from high school to university, acquaint them with the various academic disciplines at university and introduce them to the university environment.

Objectives. To validate a newly developed instrument that evaluates the effect of the preparatory year on preparing students for studying in health professions education faculties.

Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, on a comprehensive sample of male and female second- and third-year students who completed their preparatory year and started studying at health professions education faculties. Data were collected through a questionnaire newly developed by the authors. Descriptive statistics were used and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results. The study showed high internal consistency of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value for the total scale was 0.94. Among the 5 dimensions of the questionnaire, the students were highly satisfied with ‘university conduct’, but less so with the ‘perception of teachers, teaching and assessment’.

Conclusion. There was good validity and reliability of the newly developed questionnaire. From a student’s perspective, the preparatory-year programme needs to be revisited.


Authors' affiliations

Mohammed Al-Rabia, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Lana Al Shawwa, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Enas Gouda, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Ahmed Aldarmahi, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Hani Asfour, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Hani Atwa, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; and College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain

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Keywords

Preparatory year; Health professions education; Health professions faculties; Exploratory factor analysis.

Cite this article

African Journal of Health Professions Education 2021;13(1):72-76. DOI:10.7196/AJHPE.2021.v13i1.1273

Article History

Date submitted: 2021-04-08
Date published: 2021-04-08

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