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Students' reflections in a portfolio pilot: Highlighting professional issues.

Haffling, Ann-Christin LU ; Beckman, Anders LU orcid ; Pahlmblad, Annika LU and Edgren, Gudrun LU (2010) In Medical Teacher 32(12). p.532-540
Abstract
Background: Portfolios are highlighted as potential assessment tools for professional competence. Although students' self-reflections are considered to be central in the portfolio, the content of reflections in practice-based portfolios is seldom analysed. Aim: To investigate whether students' reflections include sufficient dimensions of professional competence, notwithstanding a standardized portfolio format, and to evaluate students' satisfaction with the portfolio. Methods: Thirty-five voluntary final-year medical students piloted a standardized portfolio in a general practice (GP) attachment at Lund University, Sweden. Students' portfolio reflections were based upon documentary evidence from practice, and aimed to demonstrate students'... (More)
Background: Portfolios are highlighted as potential assessment tools for professional competence. Although students' self-reflections are considered to be central in the portfolio, the content of reflections in practice-based portfolios is seldom analysed. Aim: To investigate whether students' reflections include sufficient dimensions of professional competence, notwithstanding a standardized portfolio format, and to evaluate students' satisfaction with the portfolio. Methods: Thirty-five voluntary final-year medical students piloted a standardized portfolio in a general practice (GP) attachment at Lund University, Sweden. Students' portfolio reflections were based upon documentary evidence from practice, and aimed to demonstrate students' learning. The reflections were qualitatively analysed, using a framework approach. Students' evaluations of the portfolio were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Among professional issues, an integration of cognitive, affective and practical dimensions in clinical practice was provided by students' reflections. The findings suggested an emphasis on affective issues, particularly on self-awareness of feelings, attitudes and concerns. In addition, ethical problems, clinical reasoning strategies and future communication skills training were subjects of several reflective commentaries. Students' reflections on their consultation skills demonstrated their endeavour to achieve structure in the medical interview by negotiation of an agenda for the consultation, keeping the interview on track, and using internal summarizing. The importance of active listening and exploration of patient's perspective was also emphasized. In students' case summaries, illustrating characteristic attributes of GP, the dominating theme was 'patient-centred care', including the patient-doctor relationship, holistic modelling and longitudinal continuity. Students were satisfied with the portfolio, but improved instructions were needed. Conclusions: A standardized portfolio in a defined course with a limited timeframe provided ample opportunities for reflections on professional issues. Support by mentors and a final examiner interview contributed to the success of the portfolio with students. The interview also allowed students to deepen their reflections and to receive feedback. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
SoTL
categories
Higher Education
in
Medical Teacher
volume
32
issue
12
pages
532 - 540
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • wos:000284412100002
  • pmid:21090940
  • scopus:78649358643
  • pmid:21090940
ISSN
0142-159X
DOI
10.3109/0142159X.2010.509420
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
213a4e9b-2cec-4cff-bab3-78bd1d47020a (old id 1731785)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21090940?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:00:27
date last changed
2022-01-26 04:42:34
@article{213a4e9b-2cec-4cff-bab3-78bd1d47020a,
  abstract     = {{Background: Portfolios are highlighted as potential assessment tools for professional competence. Although students' self-reflections are considered to be central in the portfolio, the content of reflections in practice-based portfolios is seldom analysed. Aim: To investigate whether students' reflections include sufficient dimensions of professional competence, notwithstanding a standardized portfolio format, and to evaluate students' satisfaction with the portfolio. Methods: Thirty-five voluntary final-year medical students piloted a standardized portfolio in a general practice (GP) attachment at Lund University, Sweden. Students' portfolio reflections were based upon documentary evidence from practice, and aimed to demonstrate students' learning. The reflections were qualitatively analysed, using a framework approach. Students' evaluations of the portfolio were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Among professional issues, an integration of cognitive, affective and practical dimensions in clinical practice was provided by students' reflections. The findings suggested an emphasis on affective issues, particularly on self-awareness of feelings, attitudes and concerns. In addition, ethical problems, clinical reasoning strategies and future communication skills training were subjects of several reflective commentaries. Students' reflections on their consultation skills demonstrated their endeavour to achieve structure in the medical interview by negotiation of an agenda for the consultation, keeping the interview on track, and using internal summarizing. The importance of active listening and exploration of patient's perspective was also emphasized. In students' case summaries, illustrating characteristic attributes of GP, the dominating theme was 'patient-centred care', including the patient-doctor relationship, holistic modelling and longitudinal continuity. Students were satisfied with the portfolio, but improved instructions were needed. Conclusions: A standardized portfolio in a defined course with a limited timeframe provided ample opportunities for reflections on professional issues. Support by mentors and a final examiner interview contributed to the success of the portfolio with students. The interview also allowed students to deepen their reflections and to receive feedback.}},
  author       = {{Haffling, Ann-Christin and Beckman, Anders and Pahlmblad, Annika and Edgren, Gudrun}},
  issn         = {{0142-159X}},
  keywords     = {{SoTL}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{12}},
  pages        = {{532--540}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Medical Teacher}},
  title        = {{Students' reflections in a portfolio pilot: Highlighting professional issues.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/2298383/1748298.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.3109/0142159X.2010.509420}},
  volume       = {{32}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}