Beyond M-Compass: Preparing Medical Students for International Experiences

Grant:

Internationalizing the Curriculum (ITC)

Academic Year:

2013 - 2014 (June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014)

Funding Requested:

$7,500.00

Project Dates:

Wed, 05/01/2013 - Thu, 04/30/2015

Applicant(s):

bwilliam

Overview of the Project:

Each year, approximately 70-80 medical students travel to low- and middle-income countries for educational experiences. Formal travel preparation currently consists of online learning modules through MCompass. Limitations of the modules include: a) they are not required for all students, b) not all students comply with the module recommendations (e.g., regarding medication prophylaxis following HIV exposure), and c) they are inadequate to prepare students for complex situations (e.g., whether to adopt local standards for sterile technique that may place the learner at risk). To address these limitations, we propose to create a set of video ‘triggers' describing complex scenarios in international settings with faculty-facilitated small group discussion. Video content will center on a series of up to five UM faculty and students describing actual situations recently encountered by UM medical students following by the question "What would YOU do?". After a pause for discussion, the scenario will be concluded. The video will be administered either in large group or small group settings, in either case allowing small group ‘break-out' sections for students to discuss their thinking, values, and possible responses to the posed situations. Beginning in academic year 2013-14, the video-discussion intervention will be administered twice yearly, and required of all medical students traveling internationally. Evaluation of the curriculum will be multi-pronged, and include student surveys immediately following the seminars and on return to the U.S., and post-travel interviews of 15-25 students on the value and effects of the video on their travel and learning experiences.

Final Report Fields

Project Objectives:

Goal: The purpose of this project was to address gaps related to cultural awareness, personal safety, and health risks in pre-travel training for UM medical students. Specifically, beginning in the 2013-2014 academic year and continuing thereafter, we proposed to create a one-hour learning experience to supplement M-Compass-based learning. Outcomes were to be enhanced knowledge, specific plans, and cultural humility among students planning off-campus academic experiences. The experience was to center on video ‘triggers’ to stimulate thought, awareness, and planning among medical students followed by faculty-facilitated discussion to consolidate learning. The video-discussion intervention was to be required of all medical students traveling internationally.

Project Achievements:

The video-based pre-travel learning experience based on trigger video interviews with students and faculty-facilitated discussion among pre-travel students was successfully implemented in 2014. Student evaluations have been highly positive. Format for the faculty-led discussion has been modified slightly in response to student evaluation feedback. The pre-travel seminar has been delivered twice annually since 2014, and will continue for the indefinite future. Specifics: What was done: • Video trigger tape created: June-November 2013: o Videographer selected and hired (June-July 2013) o Project announced, three students recruited to tell their stories (July-August 2013) o Video script developed, students’ stories recorded (August 2013-November 2013) o Video edited for final version (December 2013) o Available for INTERNAL PURPOSES ONLY – PLEASE DO NOT DISSEMINATE TO PROTECT PRIVACY OF THE RECORDED STUDENTS: http://youtu.be/suSvQ55OiJQ o Themes covered, each in an interview with one medical student: Sexual harassment Cultural isolation Personal safety Patient mistreatment by health professionals Infectious disease exposure Bridging cultural gaps In each trigger interview, the student describes the situation they confronted, then tape paused for live student discussion (‘What would you do?’ … ‘What situations might you be confronted with in your upcoming trip?’). The tape then recommences, and the interviewed student describes the resolution of their situation. • Medical school announced new program, requiring all students planning off-campus travel to attend this seminar (Appendix: Dean’s instruction letter 2014) o Scope expanded beyond original proposal to include ALL UM medical students spending time off campus for academic purposes, whether in the US or internationally. • Seminars delivered annually in large group setting in February/March and April/May starting in 2014 Monday, February 24, 2014 (28 participants) Tuesday, May 6, 2014 (35 participants) February 10, 2015 (approximately 30 participants) April 27, 2015 (approximately 30 participants) Tuesday, February 10, 2016 (25 participants) Monday, April 27, 2016 from (22 participants)

Continuation:

The twice-annual delivery of the faculty-facilitated, video-triggered discussions will continue indefinitely at the medical school. We modified the faculty portion to make it more interactive and include the purely informational portion, rather than through the video tape.

Dissemination:

Maximum dissemination among students is achieved, since it is required of all traveling students.

Advice to your Colleagues:

The major advantage to this type of intervention has been maximizing reach through single, large-group administration, while making it personal and persuasive through the use of students' voices based on actualy experiences.

Making the video tape was time consuming but felt worthwhile since it provided students' perspectives AND can be used for many years. We are looking at ways to tailor the training for students at different levels.

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