Medical Education Commons^™

Barriers That Affect Equity In The Occupational Therapy Admissions Process: Student And Faculty Perspectives, Quinn P. Tyminski, Lenin Grajo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The use of holistic admissions in higher education has been demonstrated to increase the diversity of incoming student classes; yet, in occupational therapy (OT) research, admissions processes remain under-explored. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the process of OT admissions from the perspective of students, faculty, and staff at a single OT program with the goal to create a more inclusive, equitable, and holistic process. Focus groups were conducted with first-year students, and an online survey was sent to faculty to explore perspectives on the admissions process, necessary qualities for an OT graduate student, and suggestions for increasing inclusion and …

The Implementation Of Student Success Coaches At Augusta Technical College To Foster The Development Of Diverse And Competent Nurses, Heather R. Vincequere

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract

This project explores the implementation of Student Success Coaches at Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) and their potential impact on the rates of overall program completion and the rate of diverse student program completion. Framed within the GROW model and Sociocultural Learning Theory, the project aims to determine if coaching interventions address barriers to completion and foster a supportive learning environment. A mixed-methods exploratory approach was employed, combining empirical data such as retention rates and demographics with qualitative information from surveys. Anticipated results suggest an increase in overall completion rates from 55.34% to 80% and an increase in diverse …

Teaching Current And Future Professionals Techniques For Lay Communication: Validation Study Of Published Training Material, Jafra Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong, Solana R. Martin, Yi Sheng Wu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Thomas et al. (2023), developed two mock physical activity promotion (PAP) material, which university students (and others) could practice critiquing and revising using the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) protocol. Their objective, however, was to produce mock material at two reading grade levels (11th & 8th RGL), meaning they did not compute suitability scores for other sub/main areas (eg, font size, literacy demand, respectively). PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to (1) establish trustworthy baseline data in other SAM sub/main areas for students to compare their own scores to (2) compare mock material SAM scores to one …

Advancing Accessibility Research In Kinesiology: A Mixed-Methods Case Study Of One Survey Website, Yi Sheng Wu, Jafra D. Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While some studies in kinesiology have investigated the accessibility of educational material and electronic applications used to promote physical activity (eg, ease to perceive/navigate content resources), few studies report on the accessibility of survey tools before their use in research. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the accessibility of one survey website to a study directly investigating comprehension of mock physical activity promotion material created by Thomas et al. (2023). METHODS: The website was for study participants to complete an online version of a cloze form (for a visual, see Nielsen, 2011; eg, see Cardinal …

Microaggressions: Investigating Physical Therapy Student Perspectives During Clinical Experiences, Dakota Studley, Jocelin Friedman, Ashley H. Campbell, Laurie Shimko, Megan B. Flores

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: Microaggressions are “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial slights and insults to the target person or group” (Gilliam & Russel, 2021). The effect of microaggressions has been explored among medical students, however, there is limited literature identifying the frequency and effect of microaggressions on Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of DPT students on clinical experiences to determine: 1) the frequency that students experience microaggressions, and 2) the impact of microaggressions on self-efficacy.

Methods: …

Hidden In Plain Sight: Finding A Balance Between Assessment And Learning In Competency-Based Education In Canadian Health Care, Scott Murray

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Due to its emphasis on skill development and alignment with workforce demands, competency-based education (CBE) has garnered considerable attention in recent years. My organizational improvement plan (OIP) focuses on the potential benefits of incorporating learners’ voices into CBE in Canadian medical education and proposes a corresponding implementation framework. The traditional CBE model often lacks a critical component: the learner’s voice. My OIP reviews the literature and outlines its theoretical underpinnings (e.g., systems theory, adult education theory) within the scope of authentic leadership. The findings suggest incorporating learners’ voices into CBE to boost engagement, motivation, and agency. In response to such …

Migrant Farmworker Health In Windham County, Shea A. Bellino

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

There is a significant population of migrant farmworkers, especially H2A visa holders, in Windham county with limited access to health care compared to peers in Addison and Chittenden counties. Health care is delivered to migrant farmworkers across Vermont via a volunteer-based program coordinated by the University of Vermont Extension known as Bridges to Health. Given the proximity of Grace Cottage to H2A farmworkers, it is reasonable to explore ways of increasing access for this patient population, including raising awareness of Bridges to Health.

Impact Evaluation Of A Central Australian Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training Program For Health Professionals And Students, Chris Rissel, Lynette Liddle, Courtney Ryder, Annabelle Wilson, Madeleine Bower, Barbara Richards

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of a Central Australian cultural awareness training program for health care staff. A mixed methods approach was used. Program participants completed a baseline and post-program questionnaire, which included an attitude scale assessing cultural safety, critical thinking and transformative unlearning, and open-ended questions. An online follow-up survey two months later repeated these questions. Mean scale scores were compared using paired and unpaired t-tests. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Baseline scale mean was 45.7. At post-program it had statistically significantly increased to 47.3, using both the paired (p=< 0.01) and unpaired t-test (p=< 0.03). At the two-month follow-up it had decreased to 42.2. This was not statistically different from the baseline score with a paired (n=11) t-test (p=< 0.37), however the difference was statistically significant with an unpaired t-test (p=< 0.01) which included an additional eight respondents. Qualitative feedback was consistently positive. Many respondents learnt new information about the negative effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and how this continues to affect current health. Learning about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, kinship relationships and systems, and communication styles was identified as directly relevant to work practices. A cultural education program produced positive short-term changes in attitudes and was highly valued by participants. However, it is unclear if these changes are maintained in the medium term.

Shared Language Builds A Foundation For Health Equity, Deborah Stamps, Ebony Caldwell, Ajda Ince

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Achieving Health Equity requires developing a shared language that allows people to understand diversity in various contexts. For instance, shared language allows us to discuss diversity issues concerning gender identity, just as much as it allows us to discuss diversity issues concerning citizenship, race, or sexual attraction. This article sets out five key terms that form the foundation of a shared language: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Cultural Humility, and Cultural Responsiveness. The five key terms provide a solid foundation for efforts to further expand our shared language around diversity, such as a glossary defining terms like gender identity, race.

Flippin' Medicine: Reflection And Action In Medical Education, Alison Lawrence

Audre Lorde Writing Prize

Historically, medicine has centered around a single model: that of the white, cisgender, heterosexual, abled, middle-class male body. While it is well known that patients of diverse identities often present differently, medical education continues to use this dominant, normative model as the standard for all patients while ignoring marginalized groups in their descriptions. "Flippin' Medicine" reflects on the prevalence of normative models in medicine, as well as the ways in which these models slip past the notice of providers with privileged identities. The author then describes the process behind creating a resource, titled Flipped Medicine: A Guide to Deconstructing the …

The Challenges Of Lagging Diversity And Inclusion In Health Care, Ebony Caldwell, Nananamibia Duffy, Deborah Stamps

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The healthcare workforce in the United States (US) does not accurately reflect the future growth of diversity, based on projections of a more racially/ethnically diverse patient population in the US over the next decade. Poor health outcomes, particularly in African Americans, continue to occur, and African Americans continue to be underrepresented in medicine. This signals a continuation of health disparities in marginalized communities. Healthcare organizations must address the low number of Black physicians in communities and support education gaps to strengthen pipelines that will ensure a greater diversity in matriculating medical school students.

Together We Learn: Collaborating With Medical Students To Build An Online Anti-Racism Guide, Gary S. Atwood, Kate E. Bright

University Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

In the summer of 2020, students from the medical school’s Social Justice Coalition asked if the library could support their project to build a digital collection of anti-racism resources. Specifically, they asked if the library could host the collection and purchase relevant materials when possible. The project presented interesting policy and technical issues related to LibGuides, the platform we eventually selected. It also provided educational opportunities for the medical students, staff, and the library. After six months of hard work, we launched the collection, titled “Together We Learn: Resources for Our Journeys in Justice & Inclusion” in December 2020.

While, …

Health Care Delivery To The Homeless Population In The Greater Danbury Community: A Needs Assessment, Ariella Yazdani

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

• The Greater Danbury Region has substantial health resources; two hospitals, community health centers and health clinics. Residents who lack health insurance struggle to access the full continuum of care, especially outpatient and preventative care. Although a vast majority of people in Danbury have health insurance, it is unclear if individuals living with homelessness are amongst this insured population and have equitable access to healthcare. Two transitional housing programs in Danbury were identified and interviewed directly. A qualitative assessment of healthcare delivery to members of these programs was then performed.