Pair dynamics in team collaboration

Adopting distributed pair programming as an effective team learning activity: a systematic review

As online learning has become an inevitable trend in the post-peak era of the COVID-19 pandemic, distributed pair programming (DPP) is gaining momentum in both education and industry. DDP serves as a collaborative programming approach and also benefits the development of computational thinking, a fundamental skill in today's world. This study conducted a systematic review of studies on DPP published after 2010 to understand the themes and factors that impact the team effectiveness of DPP and thus inform future research and practices on how to better leverage this approach for teaching and learning. The results showed that individual characteristics attracted major investigations in the selected 23 studies, including prior programming experience, actual skill, perceived skill, gender, personality, time management, confidence, and self-esteem, with pair compatibility identified as a critical team design factor that significantly affects programmers' satisfaction. Although the feel-good factor in the team process was investigated, no significant impact was found. Under the team environment theme, we compared different opinions on the orientation (e.g., scripted roles) and the use of technology (e.g., integrated development environment tools). Future research should investigate how task structure influences team effectiveness of DPP and relates to computational thinking education. Additionally, because most studies were conducted in higher education contexts, more research in primary and secondary educational contexts is also needed.

A qualitative exploration of favorite patients in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether physicians have favorite patients, their experiences with such patients, and how such relationships may influence patients and physicians.

METHODS

Semi-structured key informant interviews with 25 primary care internists practicing in several clinic settings at a large academic medical center.

RESULTS

The term 'favorite patient' raised concerns regarding boundaries and favoritism. Nevertheless, most participants (22/25) reported having favorite patients. For many physicians, favorite patients were not necessarily the most compliant patients, or those most similar to them. Instead, favorite patients were often very sick patients and/or those who have known their physicians for a long time. Many of these relationships were defined by experiences that strengthened the patient-physician bond. Participants felt that the favorite patient bond had a positive effect on patients and physicians ("it improves my day"). Physicians also discussed their challenging patients unprompted. Participants voiced that being cognizant of having favorite and challenging patients help to prevent favoring the care of certain patients over others.

CONCLUSIONS & PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Primary care physicians value patient relationships and benefit from deep bonds. A better understanding of how favorite patients affect primary care physicians could help inform and improve relationships with all patients.