Emotions in Medical Education: Developing and Testing a Self-Report Emotions Scale Across Medical Learning Environments

• In Event: 26.041 - Exploring Emotional and Motivational Factors for Education in the Professions

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop and test a self-report scale designed to capture the unique range of emotions activated within medical education. Medical trainees’ self-reported emotions were examined across two learning environments: (1) a computer-based learning environment designed to scaffold diagnostic reasoning skills; (2) a surgical environment designed to scaffold technical skills. Quantitative results revealed variations in intensity of emotions across time and learning environments. Qualitative results demonstrated that the self-report scale captured an appropriate range of emotions and that there was alignment between concurrent questionnaire and retrospective interview responses. The findings from this research provide an important step toward measuring and understanding the nature of emotions within medical education.

Authors

• Melissa Duffy, McGill University

• Susanne P. Lajoie, McGill University

• Amanda Jarrell, McGill University

• Reinhard Pekrun, University of Essex

• Roger Azevedo, North Carolina State University

• Kevin Lachapelle, McGill University