Affect and research in medical education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Affective issues in medical education are crucial for understanding student development.
• Previous research (1970-1982) explored various affective domains.
• A comprehensive review is needed to synthesize findings and identify trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and categorize studies on affective issues in medical education from 1970-1982.
• To identify trends in research on student personality, values, attitudes, and coping.
• To understand the influence of teachers and role models on student affect.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 77 papers published in the Proceedings of Research in Medical Education (RIME) between 1970 and 1982.
• Categorization of studies into seven thematic areas: personality, attitudes, interviewing, admissions, career choice, stress, and miscellaneous.
• Analysis of trends and implications for medical education.

Main Results:

• Seventy-seven studies were analyzed, revealing key trends over 13 years.
• Significant categories included personality, values, attitudes, interviewing skills, career choice, and stress.
• The influence of role models and informal learning on student affect was particularly pronounced.

Conclusions:

• Role models and informal learning are potent factors in shaping medical student affect.
• Understanding student affect requires considering teacher influence and learning environments.
• Future research should move beyond observation to include feedback mechanisms in studies of role models.