Developing the HEART framework: a qualitative study on faculty engagement in service-learning in Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Service-Learning
• Faculty Development

Background:

• Limited research exists on faculty engagement in health professions service-learning.
• Understanding faculty motivations and challenges is crucial for program sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore faculty experiences in a service-learning immunisation initiative for a displaced community.
• To identify factors influencing faculty participation and engagement in service-learning.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach utilizing focus group discussions.
• Sixteen faculty participants involved in the immunisation initiative were interviewed.

Main Results:

• Faculty engagement factors included hands-on skill development, emotional connection, community needs awareness, project structure, and institutional support.
• Challenges to sustainable involvement comprised academic workload and emotional demands.
• Unexpectedly, faculty experienced significant personal reflection, increased social responsibility, and privilege awareness.

Conclusions:

• The HEART framework (Hands-on experience, Empathy, Awareness of community needs, Reflection, Teamwork) is proposed to enhance faculty engagement.
• Further validation of the HEART framework is needed across diverse educational settings.
• Future research should focus on refining the framework and exploring long-term faculty engagement in service-learning.