Utilization and Perceived Effectiveness of a Web-Based Faculty Development Seminar for International Medical Science...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Faculty Development
• Online Learning Platforms

Background:

• The International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) offers the Webcast Audio Seminar Series (WAS) as a faculty development tool.
• Assessing the utilization and perceived effectiveness of such resources is crucial for optimizing educational strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the utilization and perceived effectiveness of the IAMSE Webcast Audio Seminar Series (WAS).
• To evaluate user perceptions of the WAS as a faculty development tool at individual and institutional levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey (Webcast Audio Seminar Series User Survey - WASUS) was administered to 2012-2017 WAS participants.
• The survey included 42 quantitative and qualitative items assessing user identification, utilization, and perceived effectiveness.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic coding.

Main Results:

• Fifty-two participants responded to the survey.
• Users consistently rated the WAS program highly across twelve quality components from 2012 to 2017.
• High perceived quality correlated with sustained growth in WAS participation.

Conclusions:

• The IAMSE WAS is perceived as a high-quality faculty development resource.
• Sustained user growth is likely attributable to the program's consistently high ratings and evolving interactive features.
• The WAS demonstrates potential for continued sustainable growth in medical science education.