Developing quality in medical education research
N.B. The information below is authored by the mini-project applicants, not by staff of MEDEV. This text represents the views and opinions of the mini-project team only, not those of MEDEV or its affiliates.
Full list of project partners
Dr Frank Smith
Chief Executive
Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME)
Professor John Spencer
The medical School
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Background
A discipline is only as strong as its research base, perhaps more than ever in this evidence-based era. In turn, good research requires a critical mass of well trained, well supported researchers, and strong leadership. Promotion of high quality research is one of the core aims of the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME)1. In May 2003 its newly formed Educational Research Group (ERG) organised a 24 hour residential workshop in Cumberland Lodge, Windsor which brought together leaders of MEd/MSc in medical education programmes with a research component, along with journal editors and other key players with an interest in promoting the quality of pedagogic research in medicine (including LTSN-01)2.
Several international researchers were also invited to facilitate the discussion so as to broaden the vision and expertise. The workshop was deemed a great success by all who attended. The major issues debated were: the purpose and direction of medical education research; standards and rigour; and, support and career development. Under the latter heading, participants addressed the lack of clear pathways in medical education, models of support and mentoring at both individual and institutional levels, and the need for training at several levels. This is a particular challenge because many such researchers also have clinical commitments, with all the attendant conflicts. One of the most important conclusions of the workshop was recognition of the need for collaboration between departments of medical education, in order to share best practice and troubleshoot problems.
The ERG took these issues forward and now proposes the establishment of a Special Interest Group (SIG) comprising course/programme directors of relevant higher degrees in UK Higher Education Institutions. In the first instance this would involve predominantly course directors from medical schools, but the potential for inter-disciplinary collaboration (at the level of both academic discipline - e.g. health care and education - and inter-professionally) is recognised and would be an aspiration for the SIG. The group would run a series of task-orientated workshops exploring some of the areas identified at the Cumberland Lodge workshop. First priority would be to look at programme specifications against recognised benchmarks and quality standards (e.g. Quality Assurance Agency), and to compare and contrast different approaches (for example, the requirements for dissertations/theses and other assessments).
Another priority area will be looking at career pathways for medical educationalists, in the broader context of training, support and mentoring.
Dissemination will be through publishing reports of each workshop (for example, as an ASME pamphlet, as with the first workshop).
This proposal meets at least 4 of LTSN-01's funding purposes, namely: support and dissemination of good practice to a wider audience; promoting collaboration to enhance new and existing partnerships; promote evaluation and high quality educational research studies including systematic reviews; and promote staff development3
References
1. <a href="http://www.asme.org.uk/">http://www.asme.org.uk/</a>
2. ASME. Improving the quality of research in medical education. ASME: Edinburgh, 2003.
3. <a href="http://www.ltsn-01.ac.uk/resources/proposals/miniprojects4/appendix1">http://www.ltsn-01.ac.uk/resources/proposals/miniprojects4/appendix1</a>
Proposed activities
Series of two 24 hour workshops as detailed.
Provisional timing December 2004 and May 2005.
Proposed outcomes
Improving the quality of the teaching, supervision and output of medical education research.
Guidelines for research dissertations agreed by
a number of institutions throughout the UK.
Guidelines published by ASME & available on the web.
Proposed expertise
ASME previously ran the first workshop in this area, output as reference 2.
JS acknowledged leader in medical education research and deputy editor of Medical Education
Expertise of grant holder and project team
ASME previously ran the first workshop in this area, output as reference 2.
JS acknowledged leader in medical education research and deputy editor of Medical Education
Similar work
None found.
Contact details
Amount awarded: 3000
MEDEV project contact: Nigel Purcell
Reports and resources
Reports and articles will appear here once avaliable
