Internationalising Research Methods Teaching of Undergraduate Health Professionals

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Internationalization is crucial in healthcare.
• Medical Radiation Science programs need to integrate global perspectives.
• Collaborative learning enhances pedagogical approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess the pedagogical impact of collaborative international student experiences on research methods understanding.
• Evaluate the perceived value of international perspectives in professional practice for students.

Main Methods:

• Undergraduate Medical Radiation Science students (UoL, n=80; RMIT, n=128) participated in a collaborative research project.
• Students designed, deployed, and analyzed survey data, providing feedback via anonymous surveys.
• Both quantitative (Likert) and qualitative (open-ended) questions were used for feedback collection.

Main Results:

• 40% of students felt the intervention improved research method understanding; 28% disagreed.
• Key positive themes included learning the research process, teamwork, networking, and cultural differences.
• Interpreting data was highly valued, but international peer engagement received mixed reviews; social media use was poor.

Conclusions:

• Students recognized the value of the intervention for developing research skills and understanding the research process.
• The international component, while not universally valued, highlights the growing importance of global perspectives in healthcare.
• Poor social media engagement was attributed to platform choice and privacy concerns.