TY - JOUR
T1 - Training Australian general practitioners in rural public health: Impact, desirability and adaptability of hybrid problem-based learning
AU - Gladman, Justin
AU - Perkins, David
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - Context and Objective: Australian rural general practitioners (GPs) require public health knowledge. This study explored the suitability of teaching complex public health issues related to Aboriginal health by way of a hybrid problem-based learning (PBL) model within an intensive training retreat for GP registrars, when numerous trainees have no PBL experience. Methods: A mixed method evaluation. Pre-training surveys on PBL experience and post-training semistructured telephone interviews exploring the impact of the model and its desirability. Thematic and discourse analysis of interview statements, coded independently by two researchers. Results: Seventeen GP trainees and four tutors participated. Six main themes emerged: experience; PBL impact; learning modalities; educational needs; educational expectations; and educational planning. Discussion: No discernable differences were identified between Australian and international graduates, the knowledge impact of the hybrid model or desirability of the problem. While scabies offers a suitable scenario to explore rural public health complexities, a tension regarding the desire for intensive learning and PBL format needs to be addressed to increase trainees' satisfaction. A reduction in the number of PBL sessions, PBL instruction and highly structured PBL groups will assist. Trainees value mixed modality education, including PBL, so a tailored hybrid PBL is worth consideration.
AB - Context and Objective: Australian rural general practitioners (GPs) require public health knowledge. This study explored the suitability of teaching complex public health issues related to Aboriginal health by way of a hybrid problem-based learning (PBL) model within an intensive training retreat for GP registrars, when numerous trainees have no PBL experience. Methods: A mixed method evaluation. Pre-training surveys on PBL experience and post-training semistructured telephone interviews exploring the impact of the model and its desirability. Thematic and discourse analysis of interview statements, coded independently by two researchers. Results: Seventeen GP trainees and four tutors participated. Six main themes emerged: experience; PBL impact; learning modalities; educational needs; educational expectations; and educational planning. Discussion: No discernable differences were identified between Australian and international graduates, the knowledge impact of the hybrid model or desirability of the problem. While scabies offers a suitable scenario to explore rural public health complexities, a tension regarding the desire for intensive learning and PBL format needs to be addressed to increase trainees' satisfaction. A reduction in the number of PBL sessions, PBL instruction and highly structured PBL groups will assist. Trainees value mixed modality education, including PBL, so a tailored hybrid PBL is worth consideration.
KW - General practitioner registrar training
KW - problem-based learning
KW - public health
KW - rural
KW - scabies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883415628&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0017896912450383
DO - 10.1177/0017896912450383
M3 - Article
VL - 72
SP - 522
EP - 529
JO - Health Education Journal
JF - Health Education Journal
SN - 0017-8969
IS - 5
ER -