Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions

Research article

Pharmacy students’ perspective on remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia: a qualitative study: Wei Jin Wong, Shaun Wen Huey Lee, Ronald Fook Seng Lee; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2025;22:2. Published online January 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2025.22.2

4,635 View
358 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
This study aimed to explore pharmacy students’ perceptions of remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia, focusing on their learning experiences and identifying areas for potential improvement to inform future educational strategies.
Methods
A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing inductive thematic analysis. Twenty Bachelor of Pharmacy students (18 women, 2 men; age range, 19–24 years) from Monash University participated in 8 focus group discussions over 2 rounds during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling. The focus group discussions, led by experienced academics, were conducted in English via Zoom, recorded, and transcribed for analysis using NVivo. Themes were identified through emergent coding and iterative discussions to ensure thematic saturation.
Results
Five major themes emerged: flexibility, communication, technological challenges, skill-based learning challenges, and time-based effects. Students appreciated the flexibility of accessing and reviewing pre-class materials at their convenience. Increased engagement through anonymous question submission was noted, yet communication difficulties and lack of non-verbal cues in remote workshops were significant drawbacks. Technological issues, such as internet connectivity problems, hindered learning, especially during assessments. Skill-based learning faced challenges in remote settings, including lab activities and clinical examinations. Additionally, prolonged remote learning led to feelings of isolation, fatigue, and a desire to return to in-person interactions.
Conclusion
Remote flipped classrooms offer flexibility and engagement benefits but present notable challenges related to communication, technology, and skill-based learning. To improve remote education, institutions should integrate robust technological support, enhance communication strategies, and incorporate virtual simulations for practical skills. Balancing asynchronous and synchronous methods while addressing academic success and socioemotional wellness is essential for effective remote learning environments.

Technical report

Increased accessibility of computer-based testing for residency application to a hospital in Brazil with item characteristics comparable to paper-based testing: a psychometric study: Marcos Carvalho Borges, Luciane Loures Santos, Paulo Henrique Manso, Elaine Christine Dantas Moisés, Pedro Soler Coltro, Priscilla Costa Fonseca, Paulo Roberto Alves Gentil, Rodrigo de Carvalho Santana, Lucas Faria Rodrigues, Benedito Carlos Maciel, Hilton Marcos Alves Ricz; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2024;21:32. Published online November 11, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2024.21.32

2,128 View
173 Download
1 Crossref

Purpose
With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, online high-stakes exams have become a viable alternative. This study evaluated the feasibility of computer-based testing (CBT) for medical residency applications in Brazil and its impacts on item quality and applicants’ access compared to paper-based testing.
Methods
In 2020, an online CBT was conducted in a Ribeirao Preto Clinical Hospital in Brazil. In total, 120 multiple-choice question items were constructed. Two years later, the exam was performed as paper-based testing. Item construction processes were similar for both exams. Difficulty and discrimination indexes, point-biserial coefficient, difficulty, discrimination, guessing parameters, and Cronbach’s α coefficient were measured based on the item response and classical test theories. Internet stability for applicants was monitored.
Results
In 2020, 4,846 individuals (57.1% female, mean age of 26.64±3.37 years) applied to the residency program, versus 2,196 individuals (55.2% female, mean age of 26.47±3.20 years) in 2022. For CBT, there was an increase of 2,650 applicants (120.7%), albeit with significant differences in demographic characteristics. There was a significant increase in applicants from more distant and lower-income Brazilian regions, such as the North (5.6% vs. 2.7%) and Northeast (16.9% vs. 9.0%). No significant differences were found in difficulty and discrimination indexes, point-biserial coefficients, and Cronbach’s α coefficients between the 2 exams.
Conclusion
Online CBT with multiple-choice questions was a viable format for a residency application exam, improving accessibility without compromising exam integrity and quality.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Chatbot Underperformance in Biology and Image-Based Questions in Medical Education
Joyce Santana Rizzi, Lorraine Silva Requena, Angelica Maria Bicudo, Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho, Renato Ferretti
Journal of CME.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Research articles

Training satisfaction and future employment consideration among physician and nursing trainees at rural Veterans Affairs facilities in the United States during COVID-19: a time-series before and after study: Heather Northcraft, Tiffany Radcliff, Anne Reid Griffin, Jia Bai, Aram Dobalian; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2024;21:25. Published online September 24, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2024.21.25

2,415 View
159 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic limited healthcare professional education and training opportunities in rural communities. Because the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has robust programs to train clinicians in the United States, this study examined VA trainee perspectives regarding pandemic-related training in rural and urban areas and interest in future employment with the VA.
Methods
Survey responses were collected nationally from VA physicians and nursing trainees before and after COVID-19 (2018 to 2021). Logistic regression models were used to test the association between pandemic timing (pre-pandemic or pandemic), trainee program (physician or nurse), and the interaction of trainee pandemic timing and program on VA trainee satisfaction and trainee likelihood to consider future VA employment in rural and urban areas.
Results
While physician trainees at urban facilities reported decreases in overall training satisfaction and corresponding decreases in the likelihood of considering future VA employment from pre-pandemic to pandemic, rural physician trainees showed no changes in either outcome. In contrast, while nursing trainees at both urban and rural sites had decreases in training satisfaction associated with the pandemic, there was no corresponding effect on the likelihood of future employment by nurses at either urban or rural VA sites.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest differences in the training experiences of physicians and nurses at rural sites, as well as between physician trainees at urban and rural sites. Understanding these nuances can inform the development of targeted approaches to address the ongoing provider shortages that rural communities in the United States are facing.

Redesigning a faculty development program for clinical teachers in Indonesia: a before-and-after study: Rita Mustika, Nadia Greviana, Dewi Anggraeni Kusumoningrum, Anyta Pinasthika; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2024;21:14. Published online June 13, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2024.21.14

3,999 View
364 Download
2 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Search