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The Veterans Affairs Learners' Perceptions Survey: the foundation for educational quality improvement
Sheri A Keitz1, Gloria J Holland, Evert H Melander
1Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. sheri.keitz@duke.edu
Academic Medicine : Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
|September 26, 2003
Summary
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Learners' Perceptions Survey found that residents are generally satisfied with VA clinical training, though areas like working environments need improvement. This quality indicator helps enhance physician education for veterans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education Research
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Physician Training Programs
Background:
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides 8,700 national resident positions for veteran care and physician education.
- A need exists for a standardized quality indicator to assess and track improvements in VA clinical training programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a yearly quality indicator for VA clinical training programs.
- To identify strengths and areas for improvement in the VA's physician education initiatives.
Main Methods:
- A validated 57-item VA Learners' Perceptions Survey was administered to 3,338 residents across 130 VA facilities in March 2001.
- 1,775 residents (53.2% response rate) completed the survey, rating satisfaction with training experiences, faculty, learning, working, and physical environments.
- Data from 1,436 residents in medicine, surgery, subspecialty, and psychiatry programs were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Residents rated their overall VA clinical training experience an average of 79/100.
- 84% would recommend VA training, and 81% would repeat it.
- Satisfaction levels were high for faculty/preceptors (87%) and learning environments (78%), but lower for working and physical environments (67%). Internal medicine residents reported the least satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- The VA Learners' Perceptions Survey is the first validated tool for assessing clinical training satisfaction comprehensively.
- The survey effectively highlights both strengths and opportunities within VA clinical training.
- This initiative represents a crucial first step toward enhancing the quality of medical education within the VA system.