ATTRIBUTES OF ROLE MODELLING DEMONSTRATED BY CLINICAL TRAINERS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of attributes of role modelling demonstrated by clinical trainers in teaching hospitals. METHODS: A pre-validated role model apperception tool (RoMAT) was used in this cross-sectional study to collect responses from trainees serving in seven teaching hospitals of Pakistan from January to December 2019. The questionnaire contained items on personal, teaching, and clinical attributes of role models. Responders were asked to recognize and respond to attributes of their identified clinical trainers on four-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Descriptive statistics was carried out using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Out of the 900 questionnaires distributed; 740 post graduate trainees responded (response rate 82%); 540 (73%) recognized one role model, 185 (25%) identified two role models and the rest 15 (2%) did not identify any clinical trainer as a role model. Common attributes of trainers included: excellent clinical reasoning skills (97%), honesty and integrity (90%), awareness of role model status (86%), professionally competent (80%), communication skills (78%), positive interaction (84%), positive attitude (82%), making learning exciting (81%), understanding learners' needs (73%), demonstrating enthusiasm (86%), easy to work with (85%), leadership qualities (72%). Less common attributes included empathy (38%), patience (36%) and rapport with students (33%). CONCLUSION: Trainers in teaching hospitals has to improve their less common characteristics which include empathy, patience and rapport with students.