[The educational context to train health care professionals. A qualitative approach]. / Condiciones del contexto educativo para ejercer el rol docente en Ciencias de la Salud. Un enfoque cualitativo.

BACKGROUND: There are differences in the educational context in Health Sciences, between clinical and non-clinical teachers. Therefore, the didactic and reflexive peculiarities of both educational scenarios should be analyzed. AIM: To describe the conditions of the educational context in Health Sciences for the practice of the teaching role in a Chilean university. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative study, performed according to Grounded Theory of Strauss and Corbin. Thirty one teachers from six health sciences programs were selected according to Patton's maximum variation criterion and contacted personally, after an informed consent process. Semi-structured interviews and focus group were performed, analyzed by open coding, using the constant comparison method, with the Atlas-ti 7.5.2 software. RESULTS: Six conditions of the educational context that can support the teaching role in these careers emerged. Namely, a clinical field suited for patient attention and teaching, classrooms designed for the new educational models, number of students in the classrooms and clinical settings, insertion programs for teachers' training, teachers' coordination and economic resources of the program. CONCLUSIONS: Health Sciences programs are developed in a complex educational context, having to articulate diverse elements to train professionals. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the conditions of the educational context that can favor the practice of the teaching role, thus generating improvements in teaching-learning process.

Condiciones del contexto educativo para ejercer el rol docente en Ciencias de la Salud: un enfoque cualitativo / The educational context to train health care professionals: a qualitative approach

Background: There are differences in the educational context in Health Sciences, between clinical and non-clinical teachers. Therefore, the didactic and reflexive peculiarities of both educational scenarios should be analyzed. Aim: To describe the conditions of the educational context in Health Sciences for the practice of the teaching role in a Chilean university. Material and Methods: Qualitative study, performed according to Grounded Theory of Strauss and Corbin. Thirty one teachers from six health sciences programs were selected according to Patton's maximum variation criterion and contacted personally, after an informed consent process. Semi-structured interviews and focus group were performed, analyzed by open coding, using the constant comparison method, with the Atlas-ti 7.5.2 software. Results: Six conditions of the educational context that can support the teaching role in these careers emerged. Namely, a clinical field suited for patient attention and teaching, classrooms designed for the new educational models, number of students in the classrooms and clinical settings, insertion programs for teachers' training, teachers' coordination and economic resources of the program. Conclusions: Health Sciences programs are developed in a complex educational context, having to articulate diverse elements to train professionals. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the conditions of the educational context that can favor the practice of the teaching role, thus generating improvements in teaching-learning process.

Factores que afectan al ambiente educativo en la formación preclínica de medicina según sus docentes / Factors affecting the educational environment in undergraduate medical schools

Background: Educational environment has an important effect on the quality of learning and student satisfaction in medicine. Most of previous studies have been conducted using questionnaires that assess the phenomenon considering overall dimensions, without paying attention to the specific manifestations of this topic, especially those aspects that are related to the protagonists of the learning process: teachers and students. Aim: To describe factors that affect the educational environment in the preclinical Medical formation, according to Medical teachers in Concepción, Chile. Material and Methods: Qualitative study, using the Grounded theory method. Semi-structured interviews were performed to 10 medical teachers in Concepcion, Chile. They were selected by theoretical sampling. Data were analyzed using open coding. Results: Four emerging categories about the factors that affect the learning environment were identified: Personal factors of students, academic factors of students, personal factors of teachers and academic factors of teachers. Conclusions: According to interviewed teachers, both personal factors in teachers and students that promote a positive learning environment are related with an attitude oriented towards others and communication skills. Academic factors are related with the responsible exercise of student and teacher roles and with the promotion of participation in the educational process.

[Motivation and self-directed learning among medical students]. / Aspectos motivacionales involucrados en el aprendizaje autodirigido en estudiantes de medicina. Un enfoque cualitativo.

BACKGROUND: Motivation is an essential aspect in the training process of medical students. The association that motivation can have with learning self-regulation is of utmost importance for the design of curriculum, teaching methods and evaluation. AIM: To describe the motivational aspects of self-directed learning among medical students from a traditional Chilean University. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive study based on grounded theory of Strauss and Corbin. Twenty 4th and 5th year medical students were selected using a maximum variation sampling technique. After obtaining an informed consent, semi-structured interviews and field notes were carried out. Data were analyzed to the level of open coding through Atlas-ti 7.5.2. RESULTS: From the student point of view, personal motivational aspects are linked to the search for information, constant updating, the perception of the physician-patient relationship and interest in subject matters. From the scope of teachers, a main issue is related to their ability to motivate students to develop independent study skills. CONCLUSIONS: Personal motivational aspects facilitate the development of independent study skills, specifically in the search of information. The role of teachers is crucial in promoting these skills and the perception of medical students from their learning process.

Aspectos motivacionales involucrados en el aprendizaje autodirigido en estudiantes de medicina. un enfoque cualitativo / Motivation and self-directed learning among medical students

Background: Motivation is an essential aspect in the training process of medical students. The association that motivation can have with learning self-regulation is of utmost importance for the design of curriculum, teaching methods and evaluation. Aim: To describe the motivational aspects of self-directed learning among medical students from a traditional Chilean University. Material and Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study based on grounded theory of Strauss and Corbin. Twenty 4th and 5th year medical students were selected using a maximum variation sampling technique. After obtaining an informed consent, semi-structured interviews and field notes were carried out. Data were analyzed to the level of open coding through Atlas-ti 7.5.2. Results: From the student point of view, personal motivational aspects are linked to the search for information, constant updating, the perception of the physician-patient relationship and interest in subject matters. From the scope of teachers, a main issue is related to their ability to motivate students to develop independent study skills. Conclusions: Personal motivational aspects facilitate the development of independent study skills, specifically in the search of information. The role of teachers is crucial in promoting these skills and the perception of medical students from their learning process.

[Factors affecting the educational environment in undergraduate medical schools]. / Factores que afectan al ambiente educativo en la formación preclínica de medicina según sus docentes.

BACKGROUND: Educational environment has an important effect on the quality of learning and student satisfaction in medicine. Most of previous studies have been conducted using questionnaires that assess the phenomenon considering overall dimensions, without paying attention to the specific manifestations of this topic, especially those aspects that are related to the protagonists of the learning process: teachers and students. AIM: To describe factors that affect the educational environment in the preclinical Medical formation, according to Medical teachers in Concepción, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative study, using the Grounded theory method. Semi-structured interviews were performed to 10 medical teachers in Concepcion, Chile. They were selected by theoretical sampling. Data were analyzed using open coding. RESULTS: Four emerging categories about the factors that affect the learning environment were identified: Personal factors of students, academic factors of students, personal factors of teachers and academic factors of teachers. CONCLUSIONS: According to interviewed teachers, both personal factors in teachers and students that promote a positive learning environment are related with an attitude oriented towards others and communication skills. Academic factors are related with the responsible exercise of student and teacher roles and with the promotion of participation in the educational process.

[Rethinking the selection of medical students, considering non-cognitive skills]. / Repensando la selección de la carrera de Medicina desde los factores que inciden en la formación.

In Chile the only requirement to study medicine is to obtain an academic achievement score over a certain cutoff value. However, the literature states that this type of selection is insufficient, since the medical profession requires cognitive and non-cognitive skills. These abilities are associated with better adaptation and academic success, as well as less dropping out. Therefore, those skills should be considered in the selection process to assure that the education goals are met. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature regarding the selection and evaluation criteria for students who are applying to medical schools. It was evident that Chilean medical schools need to establish appropriate criteria to ensure a more inclusive and fair admission. They need to design a system of admission with solid evidence of validity and reliability, complementary to the current form of student selection. This system should be considered common to all schools of medicine and, in turn, consider the sensibilities of the particular mission of each school, since academic, cognitive, inter- and intrapersonal aspects may vary among them.

Repensando la selección de la carrera de Medicina desde los factores que inciden en la formación / Rethinking the selection of medical students, considering non-cognitive skills

In Chile the only requirement to study medicine is to obtain an academic achievement score over a certain cutoff value. However, the literature states that this type of selection is insufficient, since the medical profession requires cognitive and non-cognitive skills. These abilities are associated with better adaptation and academic success, as well as less dropping out. Therefore, those skills should be considered in the selection process to assure that the education goals are met. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature regarding the selection and evaluation criteria for students who are applying to medical schools. It was evident that Chilean medical schools need to establish appropriate criteria to ensure a more inclusive and fair admission. They need to design a system of admission with solid evidence of validity and reliability, complementary to the current form of student selection. This system should be considered common to all schools of medicine and, in turn, consider the sensibilities of the particular mission of each school, since academic, cognitive, inter- and intrapersonal aspects may vary among them.

[Academic achievement, engagement and burnout among first year medical students]. / Relación entre el bienestar y el rendimiento académico en alumnos de primer año de medicina.

BACKGROUND: Stress may affect the sense of wellbeing and academic achievement of university students. AIM: To assess the relationship of academic engagement and burnout with academic achievement among first year medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student and Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey (MBI-SS) were applied to 277 first year medical students of four universities. Their results were correlated with the grades obtained in the different courses. RESULTS: Moderately high engagement and low burnout levels were detected. There was a high level of satisfaction with studies and a moderate exhaustion level. Academic achievement was associated with the degree of engagement with studies but not with burnout. Conglomerate analysis detected a group of students with high levels of wellbeing, characterized by high levels of academic engagement and low burnout. Other group had moderate levels of engagement and lack of personal fulfilment. Other group, identified as extenuated, had high levels of personal exhaustion and depersonalization. Finally the disassociated group had a low academic engagement, low emotional exhaustion, high levels of depersonalization and lack of personal fulfillment. CONCLUSIONS: Academic achievement is associated with the level of engagement with studies but not with burnout.

[An assessment of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) in Chilean university students]. / Estructura factorial de la escala DREEM en estudiantes de medicina chilenos.

BACKGROUND: The entry to a University requires an adaptation process that not all students solve with the same kind of success. Even though students social adaptation and emotional skills are essential, the educational environmental that they perceive has a significant influence in their academic life. AIM: To describe the changes in the perception about academic environment that medical students experience during the first three years of undergraduate career. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) scale was applied to 525 first to third year medical students and an exploratory factorial analysis was made. RESULTS: Four factors were identified: Academic Perception: academic quality that students attribute to the process in which they take part, as well as to the assessment that they do of their learning outcomes (coefficient ± = 0.85); Academic Experience: refers to positive emotions that students experience during the career such as confidence, pleasure and energy (coefficient ± = 0.76); Atmosphere Perception, comfort and calm that students experiment during their academic activities (coefficient ± = 0.79); Teachers Perception: the perception that students have of teachers about their interest and disposition towards students (coefficient ± = 0.50). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of academic environment quality is inversely associated with the lapse that the students have spent in their undergraduate careers.

Relación entre el bienestar y el rendimiento académico en alumnos de primer año de medicina / Academic achievement, engagement and burnout among first year medical students

Background: Stress may affect the sense of wellbeing and academic achievement of university students. Aim: To assess the relationship of academic engagement and burnout with academic achievement among first year medical students. Material and Methods: The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student and Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey (MBI-SS) were applied to 277 first year medical students of four universities. Their results were correlated with the grades obtained in the different courses. Results: Moderately high engagement and low burnout levels were detected. There was a high level of satisfaction with studies and a moderate exhaustion level. Academic achievement was associated with the degree of engagement with studies but not with burnout. Conglomerate analysis detected a group of students with high levels of wellbeing, characterized by high levels of academic engagement and low burnout. Other group had moderate levels of engagement and lack of personal fulfilment. Other group, identified as extenuated, had high levels of personal exhaustion and depersonalization. Finally the disassociated group had a low academic engagement, low emotional exhaustion, high levels of depersonalization and lack of personal fulfillment. Conclusions: Academic achievement is associated with the level of engagement with studies but not with burnout.

Estructura factorial de la escala DREEM en estudiantes de medicina chilenos

Background: The entry to a University requires an adaptation process that not all students solve with the same kind of success. Even though students social adaptation and emotional skills are essential, the educational environmental that they perceive has a significant influence in their academic life. Aim: To describe the changes in the perception about academic environment that medical students experience during the first three years of undergraduate career. Material and Methods: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) scale was applied to 525 first to third year medical students and an exploratory factorial analysis was made. Results: Four factors were identified: Academic Perception: academic quality that students attribute to the process in which they take part, as well as to the assessment that they do of their learning outcomes (coefficient ± = 0.85); Academic Experience: refers to positive emotions that students experience during the career such as confidence, pleasure and energy (coefficient ± = 0.76); Atmosphere Perception, comfort and calm that students experiment during their academic activities (coefficient ± = 0.79); Teachers Perception: the perception that students have of teachers about their interest and disposition towards students (coefficient ± = 0.50). Conclusions: The assessment of academic environment quality is inversely associated with the lapse that the students have spent in their undergraduate careers.

[Learning strategies of autonomous medical students]. / ¿Cómo abordan su aprendizaje los estudiantes de medicina autónomos? Una aproximación cualitativa.

BACKGROUND: Understanding how autonomous students are capable of regulating their own learning process is essential to develop self-directed teaching methods. AIM: To understand how self-directed medical students approach learning in medical schools at University of Concepción, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative and descriptive study, performed according to Grounded Theory guidelines, following Strauss & Corbin was performed. Twenty medical students were selected by the maximum variation sampling method. The data collection technique was carried out by a semi-structured thematic interview. Students were interviewed by researchers after an informed consent procedure. Data were analyzed by the open coding method using Atlas-ti 7.5.2 software. RESULTS: Self-directed learners were characterized by being good planners and managing their time correctly. Students performed a diligent selection of contents to study based on reliable literature sources, theoretical relevance and type of evaluation. They also emphasized the discussion of clinical cases, where theoretical contents can be applied. This modality allows them to gain a global view of theoretical contents, to verbalize knowledge and to obtain a learning feedback. CONCLUSIONS: The learning process of autonomous students is intentional and planned.

[Assessment of psychometric properties of the academic involvement questionnaire, expectations version]. / Propiedades psicométricas de un cuestionario para evaluar expectativas académicas en estudiantes de primer año de Medicina.

BACKGROUND: Academic Involvement Questionnaire, Expectations version (CIA-A), assesses the expectations of involvement in studies. It is a relevant predictor of student success. However, the evidence of its validity and reliability in Chile is low, and in the case of Medical students, there is no evidence at all. AIM: To evaluate the factorial structure and internal consistency of the CIA-A in Chilean Medical school freshmen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was applied to 340 Medicine freshmen, chosen by non-probability quota sampling. They answered a back-translated version of CIA-A from Portuguese to Spanish, plus a sociodemographic questionnaire. For psychometric analysis of the CIA-A, an exploratory factor analysis was carried on, the reliability of the factors was calculated, a descriptive analysis was conducted and their correlation was assessed. RESULTS: Five factors were identified: vocational, institutional and social involvement, use of resources and student participation. Their reliabilities ranged between Cronbach's alpha values of 0.71 to 0.87. Factors also showed statistically significant correlations between each other. CONCLUSIONS: Identified factor structure is theoretically consistent with the structure of original version. It just disagrees in one factor. In addition, the factors' internal consistency were adequate for using them in research. This supports the construct validity and reliability of the CIA-A to assess involvement expectations in medical school freshmen.

Aprendizaje autodirigido y su relación con estilos y estrategias de aprendizaje en estudiantes de medicina / Relationship between self-directed learning with learning styles and strategies in medical students

Background: Self-directed learning (SDL) skills are particularly important in medical education, considering that physicians should be able to regulate their own learning experiences. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between learning styles and strategies and self-directed learning in medical students. Material and Methods: One hundred ninety nine first year medical students (120 males) participated in the study. Preparation for Independent Learning (EPAI) scale was used to assess self-direction. Schmeck learning strategies scale and Honey and Alonso (CHAEA) scales were used to evaluate learning styles and strategies. Results: Theoretical learning style and deep processing learning strategy had positive correlations with self-direct learning. Conclusions: Medical students with theoretical styles and low retention of facts are those with greater ability to self-direct their learning. Further studies are required to determine the relationship between learning styles and strategies with SDL in medical students. The acquired knowledge will allow the adjustment of teaching strategies to encourage SDL.

[Relationship between self-directed learning with learning styles and strategies in medical students]. / Aprendizaje autodirigido y su relación con estilos y estrategias de aprendizaje en estudiantes de medicina.

BACKGROUND: Self-directed learning (SDL) skills are particularly important in medical education, considering that physicians should be able to regulate their own learning experiences. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between learning styles and strategies and self-directed learning in medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred ninety nine first year medical students (120 males) participated in the study. Preparation for Independent Learning (EPAI) scale was used to assess self-direction. Schmeck learning strategies scale and Honey and Alonso (CHAEA) scales were used to evaluate learning styles and strategies. RESULTS: Theoretical learning style and deep processing learning strategy had positive correlations with self-direct learning. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students with theoretical styles and low retention of facts are those with greater ability to self-direct their learning. Further studies are required to determine the relationship between learning styles and strategies with SDL in medical students. The acquired knowledge will allow the adjustment of teaching strategies to encourage SDL.

Aprendizaje autodirigido en estudiantes de primer año de medicina de la Universidad de Concepción y su relación con el perfil sociodemográfico y académico / Association between self-directed learning behaviors, socio-demographic and academic variables among medical students

Medical education must encourage autonomous learning behaviors among students. However the great income profile disparity among university students may influence their capacity to acquire such skills. Aim: To assess the association between self-directed learning, socio-demographic and academic variables. Material and Methods: The self-directed learning readiness scale was applied to 202 medical students aged between 17 and 25 years (64% males). Simultaneously information about each surveyed participant was obtained from the databases of the medical school. Results: There is an association between socio-demographic and academic variables with the general scale of self-directed learning and the subscales learning planning and willingness to learn. Participants coming from municipal schools have a greater willingness to learn than their counterparts coming from subsidized and private schools. High school grades are related to self-directed learning and the subscales learning planning and self-assessment. Conclusions: Among the surveyed medical students, there is a relationship between self-directed learning behaviors, the type of school where they come from and the grades that they obtained during high school.

[Association between self-directed learning behaviors, socio-demographic and academic variables among medical students]. / Aprendizaje autodirigido en estudiantes de primer año de medicina de la Universidad de Concepción y su relación con el perfil sociodemográfico y académico.

BACKGROUND: Medical education must encourage autonomous learning behaviors among students. However the great income profile disparity among university students may influence their capacity to acquire such skills. AIM: To assess the association between self-directed learning, socio-demographic and academic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The self-directed learning readiness scale was applied to 202 medical students aged between 17 and 25 years (64% males). Simultaneously information about each surveyed participant was obtained from the databases of the medical school. RESULTS: There is an association between socio-demographic and academic variables with the general scale of self-directed learning and the subscales learning planning and willingness to learn. Participants coming from municipal schools have a greater willingness to learn than their counterparts coming from subsidized and private schools. High school grades are related to self-directed learning and the subscales learning planning and self-assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Among the surveyed medical students, there is a relationship between self-directed learning behaviors, the type of school where they come from and the grades that they obtained during high school.

Estructura factorial y confiabilidad de la escala de aprendizaje autodirigido de Fisher, King & Tague en alumnos de medicina chilenos / Factorial structure and reliability of Fisher, King & Tague's self-directed learning readiness scale in Chilean medical students

Background: Continuous education is crucial among physicians. Therefore, medical schools must teach self-directed learning skills to their students. Aim: To evaluate the factorial structure and reliability of the Spanish version of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale of Fisher, King & Tague, applied to medical students. Material and Methods: The survey was answered by 330 students aged between 17 and 26years (58% men, with 10 missing cases). Factorial structure, internal reliability and temporary stability of scale was evaluated. Results: The Exploratory Factorial Analysis, conducted using a principal factor method, identified five factors in the structure of the survey. Internal consistency was adequate with a Cronbach's alpha between 0.66 and 0.88. Test retest reliability, comparing the results of the survey applied six months after the first application, showed Pearson correlation coefficients that fluctuated between 0.399 and 0.68. Conclusions: These results show a defined factorial structure with adequate reliability of the survey.

[Factorial structure and reliability of Fisher, King & Tague's self-directed learning readiness scale in Chilean medical students]. / Estructura factorial y confiabilidad de la escala de aprendizaje autodirigido de Fisher, King & Tague en alumnos de medicina chilenos.

BACKGROUND: Continuous education is crucial among physicians. Therefore, medical schools must teach self-directed learning skills to their students. AIM: To evaluate the factorial structure and reliability of the Spanish version of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale of Fisher, King & Tague, applied to medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was answered by 330 students aged between 17 and 26years (58% men, with 10 missing cases). Factorial structure, internal reliability and temporary stability of scale was evaluated. RESULTS: The Exploratory Factorial Analysis, conducted using a principal factor method, identified five factors in the structure of the survey. Internal consistency was adequate with a Cronbach's alpha between 0.66 and 0.88. Test retest reliability, comparing the results of the survey applied six months after the first application, showed Pearson correlation coefficients that fluctuated between 0.399 and 0.68. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a defined factorial structure with adequate reliability of the survey.