AJHPE 195

A reflection on professional development of registrars completing a module in Health Care Practice

J Bezuidenhout, 1 PhD; M M Nel, 1 PhD; G J van Zyl, 2 PhD

1 Division of Health Sciences Education, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

2 Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Corresponding author: J Bezuidenhout (bezuidj@vfs.ac.za)


Background. A need for professional development in the training of registrars was identified by the School of Medicine, University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 2007.

Objective. To develop the module on Health Care Practice (HCP) (GPV703) to address these shortcomings.

Methods. A quantitative study, enhanced by qualitative data, was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire that included a rating scale and open-ended questions was used. The quantitative responses were analysed using Microsoft Excel, and the qualitative data were edited, categorised and summarised.

Results. The questionnaire was completed by 95% (n=38/40) of registrars. The quantitative questions, regarding the orientation session, content and applicability of the content of the module, showed satisfactory to very good responses. Of the 40 surveys collected from registrars, 77.5% (n=31/40) were completed by heads of department (HODs). The surveys showed a significant improvement in registrar competence: 17 were given an above-average rating and 14 an average rating; there were no below-average ratings.

Discussion. The module on HCP, which is part of the MMed programme, addressed aspects required by registrars to develop and/or enhance their skills, knowledge and professional behaviour with regard to ethics, practice management and patient communication. Registrars were generally satisfied with the content and presentation of the module. The open-ended questions raised concerns about aspects of patient communication and electronic learning. These need to be addressed to improve the quality of the module.

Conclusion. The module on HCP (GPV703), as implemented by the UFS, is successful in addressing key aspects often neglected because of the strong clinical focus of a medical programme.

AJHPE 2013;5(2):63-67.DOI:10.7196/AJHPE.195


In South Africa, the programme for the training of medical specialists (registrars) in a particular discipline leads to the postgraduate Master in Medicine (MMed) and/or the Colleges of Medicine qualification. The programme creates opportunities for postgraduate education and training in specific specialist disciplines ranging over a 4- or 5-year period. Registrars are appointed in specific departmental posts in the various specialties at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, by the Department of Health. Registrars completed their undergraduate training at one of the 8 South African medical schools or elsewhere, obtaining the qualification Medicinae Baccalareus, Chirurgiae Baccalareus (MB ChB).1 , 2

The need to train registrars in aspects related to ethics, practice management and patient communication was identified by various reports from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (unethical practice and misconduct)3 and in meetings with various schools of medicine and deans.4 The module evaluates registrars with regard to the latest international tends in ethics, HPCSA requirements for the management of a practice, and proper conduct related to communication when dealing with patients.

Since 2008, registrars at UFS are required to complete the Health Care Practice (HCP) module as part of the MMed programme. It is offered during the first 24 months of registrar training and is a compulsory, attendance-based module in each of the disciplines. An orientation session is offered in addition to sessions on ethics, practice management and patient communication. The orientation session highlights the training outcomes and course content of the MB ChB programme, and focuses on the importance of this content and on outcomes, regulations and requirements related to the module, as well as on the use of the blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) (blended-learning approach).2

The expectations of, and requirements for, registrars in training undergraduate students to become successful interns are presented during the orientation session. The HCP module has been developed specifically to enable each registrar to address their unique needs as far as ethics, practice management and patient communication are concerned. The main task of the facilitators (module leaders, module presenters, heads of department (HODs) and consultants in the specific disciplines) is to support registrars in the learning process. Various sessions are presented within the initial 24-month period of registrar training on sections of the module to provide an opportunity for all registrars to attend at a convenient time.3

In the HCP module, the emphasis is on professional practice – where the focus is on action in clinical practice – and the purpose of mastering the required knowledge and skills is termed application, and not merely to know or to know how. Learning by doing is central to the module and therefore practical application receives considerable attention. The ability to apply knowledge that has been gained (or revisited) is of extreme importance in clinical education, training and research. Learning needs for the HCP module were identified, as registrars raised concerns about the lack of knowledge related to practice management, patient communication skills and a world-driven focus on the ethical treatment of patients.5

The staff concerned with the development and presentation of the programme have expertise in the fields of health sciences, health professions education and higher education. Therefore, the programme is presented within the context of education for a particular health discipline. Educationists in health sciences and other subject specialists are involved co-operatively to ensure contextualisation. Guest presenters, i.e. clinicians, health sciences professionals and other professionals, facilitate the contextualisation and application of the content of the module.5

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to:

• Investigate whether the module on HCP addresses the needs identified by the School of Medicine, UFS, in the training of registrars regarding issues outside their specific clinical disciplines, as required by and needed as professionals.

• Improve the quality of the module by identifying shortcomings and retaining aspects of importance as identified by the respondents.

• Obtain the opinion of HODs on registrars regarding ethical insight, patient communication and practice management.

• Determine whether the module has had an impact on professional conduct and knowledge of ethics, patient communication and practice management.

Methods

The study was quantitative, enhanced by qualitative methodologies. A questionnaire consisting of a 4-point rating scale (1= very weak, 2 = weak, 3 = satisfactory, 4 = very good) with open- and closed-ended questions was developed.4 It included items related to: (i) the content of the HCP module; (ii) aspects of the module that were regarded as most beneficial; (iii) aspects of the module regarded as least beneficial; (iv) how the School of Medicine could assist with the improvement of registrar training and assessment; and (v) feedback from the HODs regarding registrars' insight into ethics, patient communication and practice management in their specific discipline.3

A questionnaire consisting of three sections was designed to address the outcomes of the module, investigate the experiences of registrars in the module, and obtain comments from HODs on registrars’ competence in ethics, practice management and patient communication after completing the HCP module. Their findings, based on desired behaviour and feedback, were presented during academic discussions. Changes before and after completion of the module was the main focus of interest.

The quantitative responses were statistically analysed using Microsoft Excel© and the qualitative statements were then categorised and summarised.6 , 7 Our intent was for the quantitative data to be verified by means of the qualitative results, which aimed to identify aspects of the module that were satisfactory and those that needed to be addressed to improve quality.8

Data were collected after every session and the questionnaire was submitted after completing the initial 24 months of training. We used the qualitative data to augment and provide additional sources of information on the module.6 Informed consent was obtained before completion of the self-administered questionnaire.

Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS. Permission to involve staff and students in the study was obtained from the Head of the School of Medicine and the Vice-Rector, Teaching and Learning, UFS.

Results

Registrars (N=40) completed the newly introduced module GPV703 from 2009 to 2011 and 95% (n=38) completed the questionnaire. Forty questionnaires were handed out, and two respondents opted not to participate in the study. Of the questionnaires collected, 77.5% (n=31) were completed by HODs. Registrars showed ‘satisfactory to very good’ responses for the questions related to the orientation session, content and applicability of the content of the module (Table 1).



Results shown in Table 1 demonstrate that the majority of registrars were positive towards the module with regard to presentations and content. Certain aspects, such as the usefulness of the module content in an e-learning format and the contents of the patient lecture on communication, need attention. Other presentations, i.e. the ethics component of the module, were well received.

Registrars were less satisfied with the e-learning (blended learning) component of the module, as many of them did not have access to internet facilities on the various educational platforms. They experienced constraints related to bandwidth of the electronic blackboard LMS environment. The UFS also experienced technical difficulties related to the infrastructure, limiting accessibility to the blackboard LMS.

In the section on patient communication, many registrars were unfamiliar with the skills related to communication. One of the speakers presented the subject matter inadequately and out of context and not as required by registrars in their professional context. This was reflected in the responses and rating.

Qualitative data from questionnaires

Responses to the open-ended questions were divided into categories according to their respective headings. Responses by registrars and HODs were allocated to themes, coded under their respective headings, and separated into responses dealing with orientation, ethics, practice management and patient communication.

Qualitative responses from registrars to the question of which aspect(s) of the module were most beneficial are included, excluding repetitive phrases and statements (Table 2).

Responses from registrars on the question of how the School of Medicine can assist with the improvement of registrar training are given in Table 3.

Assessment by HODs on registrars' compre­hension, insight and application of ethics, patient communication and practical management in their specific disciplines are given in Table 4.







Discussion

Knowledge of ethics, patient communication and practice management is essential for the practice of clinical medicine. These skills are needed by all practitioners, especially those in private practice (the majority of doctors in South Africa). The study results showed that the module on HCP addresses these aspects during the training of registrars. The majority of registrars were satisfied with the presentations and content of the modules.

This was not the case for the presentation on communication skills. More information is needed to better understand the problems associated with this topic in which the content was not presented in an appropriate professional context.

E-learning challenges also need to be addressed. Because e-learning is often a problem in the developing world, its use needs to be carefully reconsidered.

Ethics is frequently discussed in interviews epitomising its role in clinical practice.

Registrars have made a huge contribution to improve the quality of the HCP module. They contributed significantly to assist the School of Medicine with regard to presentation times, multiple presentations, quality of presenters and aspects related to module content. Other aspects directly related to the training of registrars were referred to HODs. Registrar feedback provided a platform to identify shortcomings in their training and was shared with HODs in a feedback session.

Improvements suggested by registrars are fairly simple to address (Table 3).

The results showed that HODs observed a general improvement in registrars' insight, comprehension and application related to ethics, patient communication and practice management in this module, i.e. they observed progress and scored the registrars, but were reluctant to comment on or motivate their answers. This progress was based on their previous (superficial) observations and evaluations of registrars. Of the 31 questionnaires completed by HODs, 17 registrars were given an above-average and 14 an average score on the selected criteria. No registrars received a below-average score. HODs indicated that they were under pressure as a result of staff shortages and service delivery needs and requested that they are not asked to participate in the completion of the questionnaire in future, i.e. their inputs would not be sustainable.

The opinions of HODs on registrars' insight into ethics, patient communication and practice management obtained from the present study will be used to adapt the HCP module and select appropriate presenters for the future.

Conclusion

The module on HCP (GPV703), as implemented by the UFS, is successful in addressing key aspects often neglected because of the strong clinical focus of a medical programme.

Acknowledgements. We gratefully acknowledge assistance received from participating students and medical school staff involved in data collation. We appreciate the input of Prof. Vanessa Burch (UCT) related to editing and insight in writing this article.

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