Understanding impacts of accreditation on medical teachers and students: A systematic review and meta-ethnography

Choa , G; Arfeen, Z; Chan, S.C.C; Rashid , M.A

Understanding impacts of accreditation on medical teachers and students: A systematic review and meta-ethnography

Authors

Choa , G

Arfeen, Z

Chan, S.C.C

Rashid , M.A

Issue Date

2022

Type

Scientific Paper

Keywords

Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Accreditation is widely used by medical schools around the word to evaluate their curricula and educational processes, although its impacts on those involved in the 'frontline' of medical education receive little attention. This study systematically identified and synthesised qualitative studies that have explored medical teachers' and students' experiences of accreditation. Methods: Four databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, ERIC, and PsychINFO) were searched for relevant published articles. Synthesis was performed using meta-ethnography. Results: Eighteen articles were included in the final synthesis with 1017 individual participants from 10 countries. Findings were categorised into four domains, including navigating power differentials, evaluating credibility, influencing medical programmes, and culture and behaviour. The synthesis demonstrates divergent views on the value of accreditation in medical schools from students and staff including both positive and negative impacts on medical education programmes and stakeholders. Conclusions: Although accreditation is perceived to have many benefits, it also has a number of unintended consequences, including on staff morale, student-teacher relationships, and teacher workloads. Medical teachers also have a number of concerns about the credibility of accreditation standards, assessors, and processes. Regulators and policymakers should consider the views of teachers and students as they seek to improve current accreditation practices. Keywords: Accreditation; curriculum; medical education; meta-ethnography; quality assurance. PubMed Disclaimer Similar articles The meaning and application of medical accreditation standards. Kassebaum DG, Eaglen RH, Cutler ER. Acad Med. 1997 Sep;72(9):808-18. doi: 10.1097/00001888-199709000-00019. PMID: 9311326 Review. The impact of accreditation on medical schools' processes. Blouin D, Tekian A, Kamin C, Harris IB. Med Educ. 2018 Feb;52(2):182-191. doi: 10.1111/medu.13461. Epub 2017 Oct 18. PMID: 29044652 Teacher perspectives after implementing a human sexuality education program. Gingiss PL, Hamilton R. J Sch Health. 1989 Dec;59(10):427-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1989.tb04656.x. PMID: 2615329 The objectives of medical education: reflections in the accreditation looking glass. Kassebaum DG, Eaglen RH, Cutler ER. Acad Med. 1997 Jul;72(7):648-56. doi: 10.1097/00001888-199707000-00020. PMID: 9236478 Implementation of virtual OSCE in health professions education: A systematic review. Chan SCC, Choa G, Kelly J, Maru D, Rashid MA. Med Educ. 2023 Sep;57(9):833-843. doi: 10.1111/medu.15089. Epub 2023 Apr 20. PMID: 37080907 Review. See all similar articles Cited by Practical tips for navigating a program director transition. Gisondi MA, Hopson L, Regan L, Branzetti J. MedEdPublish (2016). 2023 Jan 10;13:3. doi: 10.12688/mep.19492.1. eCollection 2023. PMID: 36895799 Free PMC article. Impact of external accreditation on students' performance: Insights from a full accreditation cycle. Alenezi S, Al-Eadhy A, Barasain R, AlWakeel TS, AlEidan A, Abohumid HN. Heliyon. 2023 Apr 25;9(5):e15815. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15815. eCollection 2023 May. PMID: 37187912 Free PMC article. Quality Assurance of Undergraduate Medical Education in Israel by Continuous Monitoring and Prioritization of the Accreditation Standards. Benbassat J, Baumal R, Cohen R. Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2022 Jul 31;13(3):e0023. doi: 10.5041/RMMJ.10480. PMID: 35921485 Free PMC article. The challenges of physicians' participation in hospital accreditation programs: a qualitative study in Iran. Ebrahimipour H, Hooshmand E, Varmaghani M, Javan-Noughabi J, Mojtabaeian SM. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1171. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-07182-w. PMID: 34711235 Free PMC article. Understanding Meta-Ethnography in Health Professions Education Research. Luong V, Bearman M, MacLeod A. J Grad Med Educ. 2023 Feb;15(1):40-45. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00957.1. PMID: 36817528 Free PMC article. No abstract available. See all "Cited by" articles Publication types Systematic Review MeSH terms Accreditation* Anthropology, Cultural Curriculum Humans Schools, Medical Students* LinkOut - more resources Full Text Sources Atypon

Citation

Choa G, Arfeen Z, Chan SCC, Rashid MA. Understanding impacts of accreditation on medical teachers and students: A systematic review and meta-ethnography. Med Teach. 2022 Jan;44(1):63-70. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2021.1965976. Epub 2021 Aug 29. PMID: 34455898.