Lefroy, J, Yardley, S, Kinston, R, Gay, S, McBain, S and McKinley, R (2017) Qualitative research using realist evaluation to explain preparedness for doctors' memorable 'firsts'. Medical Education, 51 (10). pp. 1037-1048. ISSN 1365-2923

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Abstract

CONTEXT: Doctors must be competent from their first day of practice if patients are to be safe. Medical students and new doctors are acutely aware of this, but describe being variably prepared.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify causal chains of the contextual factors and mechanisms that lead to a trainee being capable (or not) of completing tasks for the first time.

METHODS: We studied three stages of transition: anticipation; lived experience, and post hoc reflection. In the anticipation stage, medical students kept logbooks and audio diaries and were interviewed. Consenting participants were followed into their first jobs as doctors, during which they made audio diaries to capture the lived experiences of transition. Reflection was captured using interviews and focus groups with other postgraduate trainee doctors. All materials were transcribed and references to first experiences ('firsts') were analysed through the lens of realist evaluation.

RESULTS: A total of 32 medical students participated. Eleven participants were followed through the transition to the role of doctor. In addition, 70 postgraduate trainee doctors from three local hospitals who were graduates of 17 UK medical schools participated in 10 focus groups. We identified three categories of firsts (outcomes): firsts that were anticipated and deliberately prepared for in medical school; firsts for which total prior preparedness is not possible as a result of the step change in responsibility between the student and doctor identities, and firsts that represented experiences of failure. Helpful interventions in preparation (context) were opportunities for rehearsal and being given responsibility as a student in the clinical team. Building self-efficacy for tasks was an important mechanism. During transition, the key contextual factor was the provision of appropriate support from colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS: Transition is a step change in responsibility for which total preparedness is not achievable. This transition is experienced as a rite of passage when the newly qualified doctor first makes decisions alone. This study extends the existing literature by explaining the mechanisms involved in preparedness for firsts.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Wiley at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/medu.13370 - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > R735 Medical education. Medical schools. Research
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2017 07:56
Last Modified: 09 Apr 2021 13:21
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/3891

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