Jefferson Scale Of Physician Lifelong Learning Research Articles

The effects of job characteristics on physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning.

With the rapidly growing body of medical knowledge, physicians must engage in lifelong learning. Physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning is of crucial importance. This study aimed to explore the effects of job characteristics on physicians' lifelong learning. A multicenter study collecting data from physicians from three medical centers in Taiwan was performed. A total of 321 physicians were surveyed with the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (C-JCQ) and the revised Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL) to assess their job characteristics (i.e., job demands, job control, social support) and orientation toward lifelong learning. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to validate both questionnaires. Hierarchical regression was utilized to explore the relationship of job characteristics and predictors with physicians' lifelong learning. The results revealed that job demands (β = 0.10), job control (β = 0.19), social support from supervisors (β = 0.16), the interaction of job demands × job control (β = - 0.11) and the interaction of job demands × social support from colleagues (β = 0.13) were significantly (p < .05, p < .001) related to lifelong learning. Moreover, physicians in the active group (high demand, high control) possessed a stronger orientation toward lifelong learning (mean = 3.57) than those in the low-strain group (mean = 3.42), high-strain group (mean = 3.39) and passive group (mean = 3.20). In conclusion, examining physicians' job demands, job control and social support helps us to understand their orientation toward lifelong learning and may provide insight to improve educational strategies.

Examining Associations Between Physician Data Utilization for Practice Improvement and Lifelong Learning.

Practice data can inform the selection of educational strategies; however, it is not widely used, even when available. This study's purpose was to determine factors that influence physician engagement with practice data to advance competence and drive practice change. A practice-based, pan-Canadian survey was administered to three physician subspecialties: psychiatrists (Psy), radiation oncologists (RO), and general surgeons (GS). The survey was distributed through national specialty society membership lists. The survey assessed factors that influence the use of data for practice improvement and orientation to lifelong learning, using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL). Linear regression was used to model the relationship between the outcome variable frequency of data use and independent predictors of continuous learning to improving practice. A total of 305 practicing physicians (Psy = 203, RO = 53, GS = 49) participated in this study. Most respondents used data for practice improvement (n = 177, 61.7%; Psy = 115, 40.1%; RO = 35; 12.2%; GS = 27, 9.4%) and had high orientation to lifelong learning (JeffSPLL mean scores: Psy = 47.4; RO = 43.5; GS = 45.1; Max = 56). Linear regression analysis identified significant predictors of data use in practice being: frequency of assessing learning needs, helpfulness of data to improve practice, and frequency to develop learning plans. Together, these predictors explained 42.9% of the variance in physicians' orientation toward integrating accessible data into practice (R = 0.426, P < .001). This study demonstrates an association between practice data use and perceived data utility, reflection on learning needs and learning plan development. Implications for this work include process development for data-informed action planning for practice improvement for physicians.

Continuing Medical Education for Community and Hospital Physicians in Israel

Background: In this study we aimed to evaluate Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities of primary care physicians. Methods: An e-mail questionnaire, based on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Life Long Learning (JSPLL), was sent to hospital- and community-based physicians in the Negev District. Results: Eighty eight hospital-based physicians (38% response rate) and 118 community-based physicians (31% response) participated in the study. Hospital physicians participated more in annual meetings of professional medical associations (P<0.0001). They also gave more talks at professional meetings and took part more in research studies (P<0.0001). The variables that predicted the upper tertile of the most updated physicians were age (OR=0.947; 95% CI 0.926-0.968), male gender (OR=2.502; 95% CI 1.019-4.268), and active participation in teaching (OR=4.013; 95% CI 1.347-11.954). Conclusion: Both hospital and community physicians have a high level of access to medical journals and the Internet, but CME activities have been adapted more by hospital physicians.

Surveying the factor structure and reliability of the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL) in staff of medical sciences.

BackgroundIn medical sciences, commitment to lifelong learning has been expressed as an important element. Today, due to the rapid development of medical information and technology, lifelong learning is critical for safe medical care and development in medical research. JeffSPLL is one of the scales for measuring lifelong learning among the staff of medical sciences that has never been used in Iran.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to determine the factor structure and reliability of the Persian version of JeffSPLL among Persian-speaking staff of universities of medical sciences in Iran.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study, methodologically, that was conducted in 2012–2013. In this study, 210 staff members of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were selected. Data collection tool was the Persian version of JeffSPLL. To investigate the factor structure of this tool, confirmatory factor analysis was used and to evaluate the model fit, goodness-of-fit indices, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the ratio of chi-square to the degree of freedom associated with it, comparative fit index (CFI), and root mean square residual (RMR) were used. To investigate the reliability of tool, Cronbach’s alpha was employed. Data analysis was conducted using LISREL8.8 and SPSS 20 software.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis showed that RMSEA was close to 0.1, and CFI and GFI were close to one. Therefore, four-factor model was appropriate. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.92 for the whole tool and it was between 0.82 and 0.89 for subscales.ConclusionThe present study verified the four-factor structure of the 19-item Persian version of JeffSPLL that included professional learning beliefs and motivation, scholarly activities, attention to learning opportunities, and technical skills in information seeking among the staff. In addition, this tool has acceptable reliability. Therefore, it was appropriate to assess lifelong learning in the Persian-speaking staff population.

The Relationship Between Academic Motivation and Lifelong Learning During Residency: A Study of Psychiatry Residents.

To examine the relationship between lifelong learning (LLL) and academic motivation for residents in a psychiatry residency program, trainee factors that influence LLL, and psychiatry residents' LLL practices. Between December 2014 and February 2015, 105 of 173 (61%) eligible psychiatry residents from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, completed a questionnaire with three study instruments: an LLL needs assessment survey, the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL), and the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS). The AMS included a relative autonomy motivation score (AMS-RAM) measuring the overall level of intrinsic motivation (IM). A significant correlation was observed between JeffSPLL and AMS-RAM scores (r = 0.39, P < .001). Although there was no significant difference in JeffSPLL and AMS-RAM scores based on respondents' level of training (senior vs. junior resident), gender, or age, analysis of AMS subdomains showed that junior residents had a significantly higher score on the extrinsic motivation identification domain (mean difference [M] = 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.01, 0.75]; P = .045; d = 0.44) compared with senior residents. Clinician scientist stream (CSS) residents had significantly higher JeffSPLL scores compared with non-CSS residents (M = 3.15; 95% CI [0.52, 5.78]; P = .020; d = 0.57). The use of rigorous measures to study LLL and academic motivation confirmed prior research documenting the positive association between IM and LLL. The results suggest that postgraduate curricula aimed at enhancing IM, for example, through support for learning autonomously, could be beneficial to cultivating LLL in learners.

Moral perception, educational environment, and development of medical professionalism in medical students during the clinical rotations in Peru

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between a clinical environment and the development of empathy, teamwork, and lifelong learning in medical students who are doing their first clinical rotation. The Jefferson Scales of Empathy (JSE), Jefferson Scale of Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration (JSAPNC), and Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLLL) were administered to 60 sixth-year medical students, before and after their first clinical rotation in five health care institutions. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure questionnaire (DREEM) was administered to measure their perception of the educational environment after the rotation was finished. Scores were compared to determine differences before and after the rotation. Other variables associated with gender, age, and moral perception, were included into the comparisons. A correlation analysis was also performed. The analyses confirmed a positive association among the measured elements of medical professionalism. Lifelong learning decreased (p = 0.03) after the rotation. Associations were found between the educational environment and the development of lifelong learning (P = +0.29; p = 0.03); and between the development of attitudes toward teamwork and the educational environment (P = +0.29; p = 0.03). During the rotational internship, the development of some components of professionalism in medical students is influenced by the clinical environment. Gender, age, and moral perception influence the development of some elements of medical professionalism and the perception of the educational environment.

Lifelong learning of Chinese rural physicians: preliminary psychometrics and influencing factors.

BackgroundThere are more than 4.9 million rural health workers undertaking the health care need of rural population of over 629 million in China. The lifelong learning of physicians is vital in maintaining up-to-date and qualified health care, but rural physicians in many developing countries lack adequate medical professional developments. There has also been no empirical research focused on the lifelong learning of rural physician populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the primary levels of lifelong learning of the rural physicians and to analyze group differences.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on 1197 rural physicians using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL). Cronbach’s α coefficient, exploratory factor analysis, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test were performed to analyze the data.ResultsFor Chinese rural physicians, the JSPLL was reliable (Cronbach’s α coefficient = 0.872) and valid, with exploratory factor analysis fitting a 3-factor model and accounting for a total of 60.46 % of the variance. The mean lifelong learning score was 45.56. Rural physicians generally performed worse in the technical skills in seeking information domain. Rural physicians with 21-30 working years have a lower score of lifelong learning (P < 0.05) than other phases of working years. Career satisfaction and professional titles had a significantly positive influence on physicians’ orientation towards lifelong learning (P < 0.05). The overall lifelong learning scores of physicians who received more training after completion of medical school were higher than those with less additional post-medical school training (P <0.05).ConclusionsThe JSPLL is effective for the Chinese rural physician population. In order to cope with impacting factors on rural physicians’ lifelong learning, the results of the study reinforced the importance of continuing medical education and career satisfaction for lifelong learning and the need for medical schools and hospitals to provide reasonable strategies and necessary support for rural physicians with different amounts of working years. Providing rural physicians more educational opportunities and helping them access educational resources may be an effective strategy for improving their orientation to lifelong learning.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-015-0460-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessing the relation between career satisfaction in psychiatry with lifelong learning and scientific activity

Lifelong learning (LLL) is an essential feature for the doctor to keep clinically updated and has been described as an indicator of competence and professionalism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between career satisfaction in psychiatry, lifelong learning, and commitment in scientific activities, taking into account other personal and professional effects. The survey was sent to 453 national psychiatrists and 190 surveys (41.9%) were completed online and validated. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL) was used to assess the level of LLL for each doctor. The results of the analysis of JSPLL showed that participants more satisfied with their career have greater motivation and invest more in the LLL. Furthermore, participants who were more satisfied with their career had a higher percentage of scientific activity in the last year. Multiple linear regression with these two effects in the model revealed a positive association between career satisfaction in psychiatry, LLL and the publication of scientific papers, leading to the main conclusion that satisfaction with a career in psychiatry has a significant correlation with LLL and with involvement in scientific activities.

Assessing Residents’ Written Learning Goals and Goal Writing Skill

To provide validity evidence for use of the Learning Goal Scoring Rubric to assess the quality of written learning goals and residents' goal writing skills. This two-part study used the rubric to assess University of Colorado third-year pediatric residents' written learning goals to obtain validity evidence. In study 1, five raters independently scored 48 goals written in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 by 48 residents, who also responded to the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL). In study 2, two raters independently scored 48 goals written in 2011-2012 by 12 residents. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) assessed rater agreement to provide evidence for response process. Generalizability theory assessed internal structure. Independent-samples Mann-Whitney U tests and correlations assessed relationship to other variables. Content was matched to published literature and instructional methods. The ICC was 0.71 for the overall rubric. In study 1, where the generalizability study's (G study's) object of measurement was learning goals, the phi coefficient was 0.867. In study 2, where the G study's object of measurement was the resident (goal writing skill), the phi coefficient was 0.751. The total mean score of residents with goal writing training was significantly higher than that of those without (7.54 versus 4.98, P < .001). Correlation between goal quality and JeffSPLL score was not significant. Investigators agreed that the content matched the published literature and instructional methods. Preliminary validity evidence indicates that this scoring rubric can assess learning goal quality and goal writing skill.

Critical Synthesis Package: Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL)

Critical Synthesis Package: Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL)

Continuing Medical Education for Primary Care Physicians in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Study

Acquiring a medical degree is only the beginning of a prolonged learning process. At some point, formal studies end, and continuing medical education (CME) may be left to personal initiative. To assess lifetime learning (LL) and CME among primary care physicians in Israel, a self-administered questionnaire, based on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL), was mailed to 4,104 primary care physicians. A total of 979 completed the study, 53.4% males with a mean age of 51.8 ± 8.3 (range 31–79). A logistic regression model showed that male gender (OR = 1.5, P&lt;0.05), teaching (OR = 4.5, P&lt;0.0001), and not working in a rural clinic (OR = 0.6, P&lt;0.01), increased the LL score. The results of the study demonstrate a need to address special subgroups that have a lower tendency to engage in LL activities. Policymakers should develop strategies to increase these physicians' interest in LL activities and the accessibility of these activities to them, including the availability of LL resources at home so physicians can get updates at their convenience. Primary care physicians should also be encouraged to become involved in teaching of any type, as this is a facilitating factor for LL activities.

Nurses’ Orientation Toward Lifelong Learning: A Case Study of Uganda’s National Hospital

The quality of nursing care in developing countries is poor, and attempts to improve it through continuing education programs are under way. Nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning has not been explored, despite its potential effect on the success of such programs. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL) was used to measure orientation toward lifelong learning among 200 nurses at Uganda's national hospital. Most participants had fair orientation (52%) toward lifelong learning (JSPLL mean score = 36.8 [SD = 7.2]) and rated their skills in self-directed learning as good or excellent (44%). Reported barriers to lifelong learning included patient workload, lack of mentors, lack of library resources, and lack of computer skills. Nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning was significantly associated with professional experience (p ≤ .05), age (p ≤ .05), and education level (p ≤ .01). In Uganda, nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning remains low, and this has implications for successful implementation of continuing education programs for nurses.

Measuring Medical Studentsʼ Orientation Toward Lifelong Learning: A Psychometric Evaluation

The principle of lifelong learning is pervasive in regulations governing medical education and medical practice; yet, tools to measure lifelong learning are lagging in development. This study evaluates the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL) adapted for administration to medical students. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning-Medical Students (JeffSPLL-MS) was administered to 732 medical students in four classes. Factor analysis and t tests were performed to investigate its construct validity. Maximum likelihood factor analysis identified a three-factor solution explaining 46% of total variance. Mean scores of clinical and preclinical students were compared; clinical students scored significantly higher in orientation toward lifelong learning (P < .001). The JeffSPLL-MS presents findings consistent with key concepts of lifelong learning. Results from use of the JeffSPLL-MS may reliably inform curriculum design and education policy decisions that shape the careers of physicians.

Measurement and Correlates of Physicians’ Lifelong Learning

To examine the psychometric properties and correlates of an instrument to measure physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning with attention to differences between full-time and academic clinicians. The authors mailed a survey in 2006 to a national sample of 5,349 alumni of Jefferson Medical College who graduated between 1975 and 2000; 3,195 (60%) responded. The respondents were classified as full-time clinicians (n = 1,127) and academic clinicians (n = 1,612). The other 456 respondents were involved in administration or research. The revised Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL) was included in the survey. Factor analysis, regression analysis, and analysis of variance were used to examine the construct- and criterion-related validities of the scale. Factor analysis of the JeffSPLL items resulted in three factors designated as "learning beliefs and motivation," "attention to learning opportunities," and "skills in seeking information," which supported its construct validity. Alpha reliability coefficients were 0.85 and 0.86, and test-retest reliability coefficients were 0.72 and 0.77 for full-time clinicians and academic clinicians, respectively. For full-time clinicians and academic clinicians, scores on the JeffSPLL were significantly (P < .01) correlated with measures of learning motivation, professional accomplishments, career satisfaction, and commitment to lifelong learning, which supported the criterion-related validity of the scale. The findings indicate that the JeffSPLL is a psychometrically sound instrument that measures physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning among full-time clinicians and academic clinicians. The instrument can be used to monitor educational programs, assess educational outcomes, and examine group differences.

Aprendizagem ao longo da vida do médico: tradução e adaptação da escala de Jefferson.

The competence and professionalism of doctors depend on the process of Lifelong Learning (LLL). In the Portuguese settings, in which the re-certification of physicians' skills or knowledge is currently not required, the exercise of LLL is left to personal motivation and initiative. The importance of LLL has been highlighted in numerous international recommendations and has already led, in the United States, to the development and validation of a scale for measuring physician LLL - the Jefferson Scale of Physician Life Long Learning (JSPLL). The lack of valid instruments to measure LLL adapted to the Portuguese contexts was the basis for this work, which presents the translation and adaptation of JSPLL, and the subsequent validation of the translated version to the Portuguese medical community. The translation and validation of the English version of JSPLL (JSPLL-VP) was conducted with physicians of Health Care institutions in the District of Braga, Portugal, in 2007. Methods of both qualitative (translation, assessment of the translation, retro translation) and quantitative nature (internal consistency analysis, factor analysis and analysis of response frequencies) resulted in a factor analysis that replicated, with the exception of three items, the distribution of the original scale by four factors: professional learning beliefs and motivation, scholarly activities, attention to learning opportunities and technical skills in seeking information. The results show that the JSPLL-VP is a valid Scale fit for purpose. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the whole scale (.89) and for each factor, confirmed the internal consistency of the Scale. Additionally, differences were found between mean and standard deviations for different Scale factors. In summary, this work provides a new validated tool to monitor physician's LLL in Portugal. The transversal characterization of LLL of specific medical professionals - by specialty or by type of institution - or longitudinal studies in relation with profiles of medical training can contribute to the quality of Medical Education at the pre- or post-graduate levels.

Assessing physicians’ orientation toward lifelong learning

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of lifelong learning as an element of professionalism, no psychometrically sound instrument is available for its assessment among physicians. OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of an instrument developed to measure physicians’ orientation toward lifelong learning. DESIGN: Mail survey. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred and twenty-one physicians, of whom 444 (62%) responded. MEASUREMENT: The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL), which includes 19 items answered on a 4-point Likert scale, was used with additional questions about respondents’ professional activities related to continuous learning. RESULTS: Factor analysis of the JSPLL yielded 4 subscales entitled: “professional learning beliefs and motivation,” “scholarly activities,” “attention to learning opportunities,” and “technical skills in seeking information,” which are consistent with widely recognized features of lifelong learning. The validity of the scale and its subscales was supported by significant correlations with a set of criterion measures that presumably require continous learning. The internal consistency reliability (coefficient α) of the JSPLL was 0.89, and the test-retest reliability was 0.91. CONCLUSIONS: Empirical evidence supports the validity and reliability of the JSPLL.

Assessing physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning.

Despite the importance of lifelong learning as an element of professionalism, no psychometrically sound instrument is available for its assessment among physicians. To assess the validity and reliability of an instrument developed to measure physicians' orientation toward lifelong learning. Mail survey. Seven hundred and twenty-one physicians, of whom 444 (62%) responded. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL), which includes 19 items answered on a 4-point Likert scale, was used with additional questions about respondents' professional activities related to continuous learning. Factor analysis of the JSPLL yielded 4 subscales entitled: "professional learning beliefs and motivation,""scholarly activities,""attention to learning opportunities," and "technical skills in seeking information," which are consistent with widely recognized features of lifelong learning. The validity of the scale and its subscales was supported by significant correlations with a set of criterion measures that presumably require continuous learning. The internal consistency reliability (coefficient alpha) of the JSPLL was 0.89, and the test-retest reliability was 0.91. Empirical evidence supports the validity and reliability of the JSPLL.