Reflective Learning Experience in Primary Care Medicine Posting: A Potential Qualitative Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of reflection on learning during family medicine posting, to introduce a reflective writing exercise into an undergraduate medical curriculum, including their levels of satisfaction and their concerns.

Methods: We used the secondary data taken from the final year medical students’ feedback records during their one-week family medicine posting. The total number of 148 students’ reflective writings were collected. Among them, 52 students’ data (35% of total participants) who provided the full answers were included in the analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using RQDA (Free qualitative data analysis) software. Data were entered first in the notes and transferred to RQDA software as files. Codes and code categories were formed by using both pre-set code and emergent codes. Code categories were also pre-settled according to the objectives and the outcomes. We compared the reflective ideas of the students’ with the objectives.

Results: The qualitative analysis of the students’ reflection revealed four salient themes based on their learning experiences. They are (1) Learning and experiences at primary health care (KK) clinics, (2) Understanding the role of family medicine clinic and health care personals, (3) Benefits and drawbacks of Primary health care clinics for the patients and (4) positive attitudes and behavior towards family medicine services and staffs. Medical students’ responses to effects of reflection on learning are “enhanced their learning process and gain knowledge”, “improved their awareness about the common medical illness”, “improved their communication skills”, “improved their practical skills”, “applied their theory knowledge”, and “motivated them to become the efficient medical doctors in future”. There is a positive attitude on awareness of reflective writing, the role of importance of teamwork and good communication skills during the primary health care posting.

Conclusion: This qualitative study revealed the students’ achievement in learning through reflexion in problem solving, concept, and services of primary health care during their community clinic posting. In order to have the better understanding of primary health care services and provide the better care to the community in future, the clinical exposure at the primary care clinics should be promoted for medical students in Malaysia.