1
|
Janssens O, Andreou V, Embo M, Valcke M, De Ruyck O, Robbrecht M, Haerens L. The identification of requirements for competency development during work-integrated learning in healthcare education. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:427. [PMID: 38649850 PMCID: PMC11034030 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05428-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-integrated learning (WIL) is widely accepted and necessary to attain the essential competencies healthcare students need at their future workplaces. Yet, competency-based education (CBE) remains complex. There often is a focus on daily practice during WIL. Hereby, continuous competency development is at stake. Moreover, the fact that competencies need to continuously develop is often neglected. OBJECTIVES To ultimately contribute to the optimization of CBE in healthcare education, this study aimed at examining how competency development during WIL in healthcare education could be optimized, before and after graduation. METHODS Fourteen semi-structured interviews with 16 experts in competency development and WIL were carried out. Eight healthcare disciplines were included namely associate degree nursing, audiology, family medicine, nursing (bachelor), occupational therapy, podiatry, pediatrics, and speech therapy. Moreover, two independent experts outside the healthcare domain were included to broaden the perspectives on competency development. A qualitative research approach was used based on an inductive thematic analysis using Nvivo12© where 'in vivo' codes were clustered as sub-themes and themes. RESULTS The analysis revealed eight types of requirements for effective and continuous competency development, namely requirements in the context of (1) competency frameworks, (2) reflection and feedback, (3) assessment, (4) the continuity of competency development, (5) mentor involvement, (6) ePortfolios, (7) competency development visualizations, and (8) competency development after graduation. It was noteworthy that certain requirements were fulfilled in one educational program whereas they were absent in another. This emphasizes the large differences in how competence-based education is taking shape in different educational programs and internship contexts. Nevertheless, all educational programs seemed to recognize the importance of ongoing competency development. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that identifying and meeting the requirements for effective and continuous competency development is essential to optimize competency development during practice in healthcare education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oona Janssens
- Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Vasiliki Andreou
- Department of Public Health and Primacy Care, Academic Center for General Practice, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Mieke Embo
- Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Expertise Network Health and Care, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Voetweg 66, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Martin Valcke
- Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Olivia De Ruyck
- Imec-mict-UGent, Miriam Makebaplein 1, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, Kortrijk, 8500, Belgium
- Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Ufo Vakgroep Communicatiewetenschappen Technicum, T1, Sint‑Pietersnieuwstraat 41, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Marieke Robbrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Leen Haerens
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|