A Cloud With a Silver Lining: Helping Students Learn About Professionalism. 2017

Rhea J Cohn, and Margaret M Plack
a Department of Physical Therapy and Health Care Sciences , The George Washington University , Washington , DC , USA.

OBJECTIVE Educators face many challenges in teaching professionalism. Despite attempts to define professionalism, it remains abstract for students and often not fully appreciated until they are in clinic. Without a way to make it personally relevant, students will likely be less motivated to learn. METHODS We used student-generated word clouds to facilitate reflection and discussions, thereby helping students make their perceptions of professionalism more explicit. Group discussion was followed by a 5-minute written reflection. Word clouds created in Semesters 1 and 7 enabled students to compare perceptions at two points in the curriculum. BACKGROUND The George Washington University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a 3-year, 8-semester, 109-credit postgraduate program that includes 34 weeks of clinical practice. Reflection is foundational to the curriculum, and students reflect on their learning and professional growth each semester. Historically, students were introduced to professionalism in Semester 1 using explicit instructional strategies. Despite the wealth of resources, readings, and discussions, engagement remained challenging. RESULTS Student-generated word clouds created a personally relevant visual from which uniquely designed prompts were created to facilitate discussion. Having students compare word clouds across semesters enabled them to identify what, when, how, and where they learned about professionalism. Word clouds, categorized words, and 5-minute written reflections provided evidence of individual and collective changes in student perceptions. CONCLUSIONS Students will engage in rich discussions on professionalism if it is personally relevant. Anonymity can foster discussion on personal characteristics and biases. Visualization of student-generated, narrative data enhanced reflection and discussion. Comparing word clouds from two points in time helped students articulate changes in their perceptions of professionalism. A 5-minute reflection can be a powerful learning tool for students and faculty. Outcomes demonstrated the value of designing interventions grounded in the educational principles.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007858 Learning Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge. Phenomenography
D003479 Curriculum A course of study offered by an educational institution. Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D004504 Education, Medical, Undergraduate The period of medical education in a medical school. In the United States it follows the baccalaureate degree and precedes the granting of the M.D. Medical Education, Undergraduate,Education, Undergraduate Medical,Undergraduate Medical Education
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000068616 Professionalism The level of skill, good judgment, and polite behavior expected from people trained to do their jobs well. Medical Professionalism,Professionalism Education,Surgical Professionalism,Education, Professionalism,Professionalism, Medical,Professionalism, Surgical
D013337 Students, Medical Individuals enrolled in a school of medicine or a formal educational program in medicine. Medical Student,Medical Students,Student, Medical

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