Farah Muhammad A. Mansuri
University of Indonesia, Indonesia
Title: Reflections by potential health care providers on a research methodology course taught under a primary health care centre: An experience of inter-professional education
Biography
Biography: Farah Muhammad A. Mansuri
Abstract
Objectives: Public Health research demands a participatory approach while working with communities to combat expected challenges in the field. Therefore a training program on research methodology was introduced at Karachi Medical and Dental College, focusing on the principles of IPE, in order to improve primary care services. The objectives of this study were to assess level of learning by the participants in domain of communication and to explore participants’ opinion regarding evaluation of training program.
Methods: Total 96 participants of the research methodology course were selected during March and September 2010. It included faculty members, medical students, social works students and health technicians. The results were obtained through reflection of students and faculty, responded the first time the course was offered. It was a mixed method research where communication competencies of research course and participants’ perception on course evaluation were analyzed and findings were triangulated.
Results: It was noted that 87% of faculty enjoyed contributing to ‘inter-professional relationship’; ‘team work’ in community focused areas was learnt to greater extent by 90% of students. 78% of students and 70% of faculty identified ‘active listening’ and ‘communicating information to families’ respectively as been learnt to lesser extent. These findings were defended by their deliberations on course evaluation.
Conclusion: The learning was found to be maximal on contribution at inter-professional relationship among faculty as compared to team work best learnt by students. Moreover, it was evident that though active listening was learnt lesser but information was better communicated to families by students than faculty.