Preparing Health Profession Students for Practice in Complex Real World Settings: How Do Educators Respond to a Model of Capability?

Authors

  • Dr Sally Hanks University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School
  • Professor Hilary Neve Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
  • Professor Thomas Gale University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v9i1.749

Keywords:

capability, competency-based education, complexity, prepared for practice

Abstract

Undergraduate education often leaves future healthcare professionals insufficiently prepared for the complex and unpredictable workplace. Competency-based medical education (CBME) is widely utilised in health professions’ education, but a growing literature highlights its limitations. Capability is a complex concept which builds on competence, while embedding the integration and adaptation of knowledge, skills and personal qualities. While capability can prepare learners for uncertainty and complexity, the concept has been slow to progress within health professions’ education. We introduced the concept of capability to over 110 international health profession educators through six conference workshops, using a visual model to facilitate understanding. Participants’ post-workshop qualitative feedback was collated and thematically analysed. One hundred and thirty-three free text comments were received and four main themes identified: conceptualising capability, capability as curriculum goal, educating for capability, challenges to implementation. The need for capability resonated with participants, although most were unfamiliar with the concept prior to the workshop. The workshop enabled participants to recognise the limitations of CBME’s ‘tick box’ culture when preparing learners to address complexity. The model helped educators grasp the concept of capability and its potential value in health professions’ education. Participants were then able to identify challenges and suggest approaches for implementing capability in practice. Educating for capability is fundamental for preparing students successfully for the ‘real world’ of professional practice. Most participants agreed it should be the end goal of healthcare education curricula. Healthcare educators are likely, however, to need support to embrace this paradigm shift.

Author Biographies

Dr Sally Hanks, University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School

Sally is Associate Head of School for Teaching and Learning at the Peninsula Dental School and a practising General Dental Practitioner

Professor Hilary Neve, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

Hilary is Associate Head of School for Teaching and Learning at the Peninsula Medical School and a practising General Practitioner 

Professor Thomas Gale, University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School

Director of Assessment at the Peninsula Medical School and a consultant anaesthetist

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Published

2021-05-26

How to Cite

Hanks, S., Neve, H., & Gale, T. (2021). Preparing Health Profession Students for Practice in Complex Real World Settings: How Do Educators Respond to a Model of Capability?. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 9(1), 50–63. https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v9i1.749

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Research Articles