Defining and measuring the personal and professional development for healthcare professionals on international placements in low and middle income countries

Tyler, NM

Abstract

It is frequently reported that British health professionals learn and develop considerably as a result of undertaking international placements in low and middle-income countries. However, there has been little attempt to empirically identify, analyse and measure the learning that happens. Much of the learning is described using broad, generalised terms such as ‘communication skills’ or ‘leadership’. This thesis aimed to uncover the constituent components of these broad terms by using a systematic review and meta-synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature. The potential learning outcomes generated during the meta-synthesis were then presented to a group of stakeholders in Delphi consensus study, who decided which of the items were most important. The Delphi method developed a set of core learning outcomes for international placements; which were converted into a self-assessment tool. The tool was piloted on a large sample size and reduced to a 40-item psychometric, self-assessment tool. Preliminary findings from the data gathered in the pilot study are discussed. An adaptation of transformational learning theory in relationship to international placements is proposed alongside discussion of how this research relates to existing educational theory. Future uses of the tool to generate more data are also discussed. This thesis is funded by Health Education England, who wished to explore the creation of a psychometric tool to measure learning on health professional international placements.

Citation

Tyler, N. (in press). Defining and measuring the personal and professional development for healthcare professionals on international placements in low and middle income countries. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Dec 14, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Additional Information: Projects : Measuring the Outcomes of Volunteering for Education