Project description:IntroductionFaculty development focused on interprofessional education (IPE) is essential to any IPE initiative aiming to produce a collaborative practice-ready workforce. Many faculty have not received IPE in their own training and struggle with interprofessional teaching.MethodsTo train faculty to conduct a peer-teaching observation and provide feedback focused on interprofessional teaching, we created a 3-hour didactic and skills practice workshop. The didactic portion considered ways interprofessional teaching differed from uniprofessional teaching, discussed elements of effective feedback, and reviewed the critical steps of a peer-teaching observation. In the skills practice portion, participants watched videos of different teaching scenarios and role-played as a peer observer providing feedback to the instructor in the videos. Participants completed a pre/post self-assessment and workshop evaluation form.ResultsEighteen faculty from four professions (dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy) participated in the workshop from 2020 to 2021. On a 5-point scale (1 = poor, 5 = excellent), participants rated the overall workshop quality 4.9 and the likelihood of making a change in their teaching/professional practice 4.8. Workshop participants' self-reported ability to provide feedback to a peer on their interprofessional teaching improved after workshop participation (preworkshop M = 2.9, postworkshop M = 3.8, p < .01).DiscussionThis IPE-focused faculty development workshop allows participants to practice skills and share their own interprofessional teaching insights and challenges. The workshop is adaptable for different professions and settings and for in-person or online implementation. It also can be integrated into an existing program or utilized as a stand-alone workshop.
Project description:BackgroundPeer observation of Teaching involves observers providing descriptive feedback to their peers on learning and teaching practice as a means to improve quality of teaching. This study employed and assessed peer observation as a constructive, developmental process for members of a Pediatric Teaching Faculty.MethodsThis study describes how peer observation was implemented as part of a teaching faculty development program and how it was perceived by teachers. The PoT process was divided into 4 stages: pre-observation meeting, observation, post-observation feedback and reflection. Particular care was taken to ensure that teachers understood that the observation and feedback was a developmental and not an evaluative process. Twenty teachers had their teaching peer observed by trained Faculty members and gave an e-mail 'sound-bite' of their perceptions of the process. Teaching activities included lectures, problem-based learning, small group teaching, case-based teaching and ward-based teaching sessions.ResultsTeachers were given detailed verbal and written feedback based on the observer's and students' observations. Teachers' perceptions were that PoT was useful and relevant to their teaching practice. Teachers valued receiving feedback and viewed PoT as an opportunity for insight and reflection. The process of PoT was viewed as non-threatening and teachers thought that PoT enhanced the quality of their teaching, promoted professional development and was critical for Faculty development.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that PoT can be used in a constructive way to improve course content and delivery, to support and encourage medical teachers, and to reinforce good teaching.
Project description:BackgroundThis pilot study examined the feasibility of a new lifestyle modification program involving a "Teaching Kitchen" in Japan. Our goal was to explore (1) feasibility of the program; (2) acceptability for class frequency (weekly vs. bi-weekly); and (3) changes in biometrics, dietary intakes, and lifestyle factors.MethodsA total of 24 employees with obesity in a Japanese company were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (weekly or bi-weekly group), each attending the program consisting of four two-hour classes (lectures on nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and culinary instructions). Participants were observed for changes in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life over the subsequent 3 months. We tested the between-group differences in changes using linear mixed-effect models.ResultsThe program completion rates were 83.3% in total (91.7% for weekly group and 75.0% for bi-weekly group). From baseline to post-intervention, significant decreases were observed in weight (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), body fat mass (p < 0.001), and dietary intakes in total fat (p = 0.03) and sodium (p = 0.008) among 17 participants who were available for measurements. Improvements in biometrics remained significant 1 month after the intervention (all p ≤ 0.03 in 14 participants). Participants' health related quality of life was significantly improved in bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental component score (all p ≤ 0.047).ConclusionsThe new Japanese Teaching Kitchen program is feasible with high program completion rates in Japanese office workers with obesity. While this was a small feasibility study, significant multiple improvements in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life suggest that this line of inquiry warrants further exploration to address obesity and obesity-related diseases in Japan.
Project description:BackgroundAfter the Corona pandemic, medical education has shifted to virtual education, but there has been limited time and possibilities for empowering faculty for this purpose. Therefore, it seems necessary to evaluate the quality of the provided training and provide feedback to the faculty in order to improve the quality of training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of teacher formative evaluation by peer observation method on the quality of virtual teaching of basic medical sciences faculty.MethodsIn this study, seven trained faculty members observed and based on a checklist evaluated the quality of 2 virtual sessions taught by each faculty of basic medical sciences, and provided them feedback; after at least 2 weeks, their Virtual teachings were again observed and evaluated. The results before and after providing feedback were compared through SPSS software.ResultsAfter intervention, significant improvements were observed in the average scores of "overall virtual performance", "virtual classroom management" and "content quality". Specifically, there was a significant increase in the average score of "overall virtual performance" and "virtual class management" among female faculty, and the average score of "overall virtual performance" among permanently employed faculty members with more than 5 years of teaching experience, before and after intervention (p < 0.05).ConclusionVirtual and online education can be a suitable platform for the implementation of formative and developmental model of peer observation of faculty; and should be considered as an opportunity to empower and improve the quality of the faculty' performance in virtual education.
Project description:ContextThe use of peer support as a faculty development technique to improve clinical teaching is uncommon in medical education, despite the benefits of situating learning in the workplace. The authors therefore conducted a broad search seeking theoretical and empirical literature describing peer support strategies for clinical teachers in health care workplaces. This included descriptive and non-experimental studies that are often excluded from reviews. The review aimed to identify and assess existing initiatives and to synthesise key challenges and benefits.MethodsAn integrative literature review was undertaken (2004-2017), based on searches of eight international electronic databases and targeted manual searches. Key concepts, elements and models were mapped using an iterative, constant comparative method. An evaluative framework, drawing on previous research, informed conclusions regarding the quality of evidence.ResultsFrom a pool of 5735 papers, 34 met the inclusion criteria. The majority referred to studies conducted in the USA (59%) and in the medical profession (71%). Analysis revealed a trend towards using a collaborative model (56%), voluntary participation (59%), and direct workplace observation by a peer clinician (68%). Design features of the peer support strategy were commonly reported (65%), with half providing outcome measures (56%). Few papers reported on process evaluation (15%) or evidence of programme sustainability (15%). Despite logistical and time-associated challenges, benefits accrued to individuals and the workplace, and included improved teaching practices. Embedding the peer support strategy into routine organisational practice proved effective.ConclusionsThe results indicated that a workplace-based peer support model is an acceptable and effective faculty development strategy for health care clinical teachers. Conceptualising workplace-based peer support via a sociocultural model that acknowledges the significance of educational design, peers as collaborators and the importance of workplace context and culture is emphasised. Future research should focus on clarification studies informed by contemporary models of faculty development, in which factors impacting the health care workplace are considered.
Project description:BACKGROUND: The Stanford Anesthesia Teaching Scholars Program was launched in 2007 to further pedagogic training of faculty and improve residency education. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this article are to describe the program intervention and improvements made based on participant feedback, summarize the characteristics of the faculty enrolled and projects undertaken, and report on program outcomes tracked to date. INTERVENTION: THE TEACHING SCHOLARS PROGRAM HOUSED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA SUPPORTS FACULTY IN THESE AREAS: (1) attending education-related meetings; (2) engaging in a monthly seminar on core topics paired with independent study reading; and (3) undertaking a project to improve resident education. Structured interviews with all graduates (n = 19; 47% women) were conducted using a pilot-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 15 of 19 Scholars (79%) were instructors/assistant professors. Sixteen Scholars (84%) attended an off-site education meeting. The Scholars pursued a variety of projects, including curriculum (53%), teaching (26%), administration (11%), assessment (5%), and advising/mentoring (5%). Projects were fully completed by 13 of 19 participants (68%), and 12 of 19 projects (63%) are currently integrated into the residency. Completed projects were published/presented at conferences by 4 of 13 participants (31%), and education grants were received by 3 of 19 participants (16%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first description of a faculty development (education) program in an anesthesiology department. The program has been well accepted by participants and resulted in increased educational products, some of which have become a permanent part of the residency curriculum. This educational innovation can be replicated in other departments of anesthesiology provided that funding is available for faculty time and meeting expenses.
Project description:PurposeTo explore the design, implementation, and efficacy of a faculty development program in a cohort of early career junior faculty.MethodInterested junior faculty members were divided into interdisciplinary small groups led by senior faculty facilitators. The groups met monthly for 1.5 hours to review a modular curriculum from 2011 to 2013. Using a survey at two time points (September 2011 and 2013) and an interim program evaluation, the authors collected data on participants' demographics, faculty interconnectedness, and self-reported knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) in the domains of professional development and scholarship, including the ability to write career goals and align activities with those goals.ResultsA total of 104 junior faculty participated in the program. They demonstrated changes in self-reported KSA in the domains of professional development (P = .013, P = .001) and scholarship (P = .038, P = .015) with an increase in ability to write career goals (P < .001), ability to align activities with those goals (P < .001), and number of and amount of time spent pursuing activities related to those goals (P = .022). These changes were more significant among female faculty and were not affected by academic rank or time since last training. Interconnectedness among faculty increased during the period of study-the number of nodes and ties between nodes within the network increased.ConclusionsThis facilitated peer mentoring program for junior faculty was effective in improving the KSA necessary to promote early career advancement and peer networking, especially for women.
Project description:The long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury can create major barriers to community integration. Peer support represents a sustainable model of support across this transition. The objective of the current study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial on the Ontario Brain Injury Association Peer Support Program and the preliminary effectiveness of the program on community integration, mood, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy; Methods: A pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial with an embedded qualitative component was conducted. Mentees with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (n = 13) were randomized to a weekly intervention or waitlist control group. Interviews were conducted with a subset of mentees and peer mentors (n = 10). Integration of the quantitative and qualitative data was completed using a joint display approach; Results: No statistically significant results were found for community integration, mood, or self-efficacy; however, changes in these outcomes were accompanied by moderate-to-large effect sizes. Within health-related quality of life, the mean pain score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the two-month timepoint but not at completion. Interviews revealed proximal improvements in knowledge, skills, and goals, and identified two domains related to trial acceptability: (1) environmental context and resources, and (2) reinforcement; Conclusions: Given the conceivable importance of proximal improvements in domains such as knowledge, skills, and/or goals for the attainment of more distal outcomes, modifications to the existing Peer Support Program may be warranted. The introduction of program recommendations which promote discussion around particular domains may help facilitate long-term improvements in health outcomes.
Project description:IntroductionWe developed a longitudinal faculty development program to maximize faculty training in direct clinical observation (DCO) and feedback, as there was a perceived need for higher quality of DCO and feedback. To achieve this, we created a behaviorally anchored DCO instrument and worked to improve faculty skills in this area.MethodsWe describe an innovative model of faculty training that is learner centered and reinforces evidence-based principles of effective feedback that are introduced and then repeated in all sessions. The training centers on both peer-led observation of and feedback on faculty learners' recorded DCO feedback encounters, and is guided by our DCO instrument. Residents and faculty completed surveys to assess program impact. Qualitative responses were analyzed for themes. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to examine significance of difference in feedback quality before and after DCO faculty development education sessions.ResultsOur faculty development program has been well received and had a significant impact on quality of faculty feedback, as rated by resident learners.DiscussionOur faculty development model is effective at growing faculty learners' DCO and feedback skills. Potential strengths of this program include the use of a behaviorally anchored DCO instrument, longitudinal and experiential faculty development, and use of small-group peer review of recorded faculty feedback encounters. We have found that when their learning needs are attended to, faculty learners cultivate a deep appreciation for principles of effective feedback. In fact, faculty feedback skills can be enhanced in the eyes of resident learners.
Project description:BackgroundFaculty development for nurse and physician educators has a limited evidence base in high income countries, and very little research from low- and middle-income countries. Health professions educators in many global settings do not receive training on how to educate effectively.ObjectiveTo pilot and assess a faculty development program aimed at nurse and physician educators at a teaching hospital in rural Haiti.MethodsWe developed a program covering a total of 22 topics in health professions education, including applied learning theory as well as nurse and physician targeted topics. We assessed impact through participant assessment of personal growth, participant evaluation of the program, knowledge testing pre and post program, and structured observations of program participants providing teaching during the program.FindingsNineteen out of 37 participants completed the program. While participant reviews were uniformly positive, a pre- and post-test on general educational topics showed no significant change, and the effort to institute observation and feedback of teaching did not succeed.ConclusionsOur project showcases some benefits of faculty development, while also demonstrating the challenges of instituting faculty development in situations where participants have limited time and resources. We suspect more benefits may emerge as the program evolves to fit the learners and setting.