Engineering, Physical Therapy and the Community: A Service Learning Course

Analysis of Evaluation Dimensions of Public Service Motivation of Chinese College Students-Qualitative Study Based on Grounded Theory

Public service motivation (PSM) represents an individual's predisposition to respond to motives grounded primarily or uniquely in public institutions, and it is an individual characteristic that reflects the attributes of the public sector. The concept was first introduced by James Perry, who identified four-dimensions to measure PSM, namely, attraction to policy making, commitment to the public interest, compassion, and self-sacrifice. Public service motivation changes over time, and differences in culture and systems in different countries can lead to differences in the measurement dimensions of PSM. The dimensions of PSM measurement in Asian countries are different from those in Western countries, and whether the regional applicability and population applicability of PSM can be expanded is a question worth investigating. From a new perspective, this study takes Chinese college students as the research object, using one-on-one interviews based on grounded theory. Besides the four dimensions mentioned above, it was found that the two additional dimensions of a collectivist tendency and self-improvement were added, and the specific connotations of each dimension were changed somewhat. A collectivist tendency accords with the culture of East Asian countries, and self-improvement is our unique finding among college students. This proves that the motivation for public service can rise not only from altruism but also as a result of individuals seeking self-development and value realization.

Impact of Service-Learning on Physiotherapy Students: Exercise Programs for Patients with Heart Transplantation and Acute Coronary Syndrome—A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction. Service-learning (SL) seems to be useful for healthcare students. This study aimed at comparing an SL program versus a traditional approach (TA) on moral sensitivity, ethical competences, knowledge, teaching quality, SL participation and performance, and satisfaction in physiotherapy students. Methods. Randomized clinical trial. A total of 32 physiotherapy students were allocated to an SL group (SLG, n = 16), or to a TA group (TAG, n = 16). Participants had to create an exercise program for patients with heart transplantation and acute coronary syndrome. The SLG performed the program with real patients, whilst the TAG performed a traditional collaborative approach. Moral sensitivity, ethical competences, knowledge and teaching quality were assessed pre- and post-intervention. SL participation and performance and satisfaction of the SLG were assessed post-intervention. Results. After the intervention, the SLG showed higher moral sensitivity, ethical competences, knowledge and reported better teaching quality than the TAG. The SL program was useful, addressed a real need, contributed to learning, helped to solve problems, facilitated better comprehension, increased motivation, and students would like to use SL in other subjects. Conclusions. The SL program had a positive impact on students, encouraging the implementation of similar SL interventions. SL may be considered a teaching–learning methodology of choice in physiotherapy students.

Charity- and project-based service learning models increase public service motivation outcomes among dietetic students in a community nutrition course

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether dietetic students would report a change in their public service motivation (PSM) following a community nutrition service learning (SL) course, and whether the SL model (charity v. project) influences this change differently.

DESIGN

Using a pretest-posttest, nonequivalent groups quasi-experimental design, this study compared students' PSM at the beginning and end of a 15-week college-level course. PSM and four component dimensions (attraction to public policy, commitment to public interest, compassion and self-sacrifice) were measured via electronic survey using the PSM scale. Average PSM scores were compared between and within the charity and project groups using independent samples and paired sample t tests, respectively. ANCOVA assessed the effect of SL model on post-survey scores, controlling for pre-survey scores.

SETTING

Public university in northeastern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Dietetic students enrolled in six sections of the same undergraduate community nutrition SL course. Students were placed by section in either charity (n 59) or project (n 52) SL experiences and required to complete 14 h in this role.

RESULTS

Mean PSM total scores increased between pre-survey and post-survey (3·50 v. 3·58; P = 0·001). Students reported small increases in three PSM dimensions: commitment to public interest, compassion and self-sacrifice (all P ≤ 0·01). Holding pre-scores constant, the charity group reported a higher attraction to public policy post-score, while the project group reported a higher self-sacrifice post-score (both P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

Educators should consider adopting SL methods into curricular offerings to enhance students' motivation for public service.