Page 70 - Medical students’ self-regulated learning in clinical contexts

68
Abstract
objec ves
The importance of self-regulated learning has been broadly recognized by medical educa on ins tu ons and regulatory bodies. Suppor ng the development of self-regulated learning skills has proven di cult since self-regula on is a complex interac ve process, and we know rela vely li le about the factors in uencing this process in real prac ce se ngs. The aim of our study was therefore to iden fy factors that support or hamper medical students’ self-regulated learning in a clinical context.
Methods
We conducted a construc vist grounded theory study using semi-structured interviews with 17 medical students enrolled in the clerkships of two universi es. The par cipants were purposively sampled to ensure variety in age, gender, experience, and current clerkship. A day-reconstruc on method was used to help par cipants memorize their ac vi es of the previous day. The interviews were transcribed verba m and analyzed itera vely using constant comparison and open, axial and interpre ve coding.
results
Self-regulated learning by students in a clinical context was in uenced by the speci c goals students perceived, the autonomy they experienced, the learning opportuni es they were given or created themselves, and the an cipated outcomes of an ac vity. All of these factors were a ected by personal, contextual and social a ributes.
Discussion
Self-regulated learning of medical students in a clinical context is di erent for every individual. The factors in uencing this process are a ected by personal, social and contextual a ributes. Some of these are similar to those known from previous research in classroom se ngs, but others are unique to a clinical context such as the available facili es, the role of pa ents, and social rela ons pertaining to peers and other hospital sta . To be er support students’ self-regulated learning, we believe it is important to increase students’ metacogni ve awareness and to o er students more tailored learning opportuni es.