Interprofessional Differences in Multidimensional Self-Efficacy Associated With Professional Performance in Nephrology During Case-Based Learning

Abstract

IntroductionPostgraduate medical education assumes rising importance in the rapidly advancing field of medicine. Case-based learning (CBL), a learner-centered pedagogy employing clinical cases to improve decision-making, is widely embraced in postgraduate medical education, including nephrology. Studies suggested that learning self-efficacy (SE) was tightly associated with learning motivation and academic performance, but very few examined this association in nephrology postgraduate education. None evaluated whether there were interprofessional differences concerning such association. MethodsIn 2022, we prospectively enrolled physicians and nurses participating in chronic kidney disease (CKD) care from institutions around Taiwan. They completed the Professional Medical Learning Self-efficacy questionnaire after attending >1 CBL session involving CKD care. We undertook confirmatory factor analysis, followed by structural equation modeling to evaluate associations between five dimensions of learning SE (conceptual understanding (CU), higher-order cognitive skills (HC), practical work (PW), everyday application (EA), and medical science communication (MSC)) and their professional SE in nephrology according to medical professions. Results513 healthcare providers were surveyed. The convergent and construct validity of our questionnaire were satisfied after analyses. We found that better perceived professional performance in the form of higher professional SE in nephrology was significantly associated with all five dimensions of learning SE among physicians and nurses. Only CU and PW were significantly associated with physicians' professional performance, whereas among nurses, only HC and MSC were significantly associated. ConclusionWe showed that learning SE was an important determinant of nephrology professional performance. Different medical professions pose influences on major SE dimensions.