Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A portfolio assessment system was designed to meet the needs of a Rural Clinical School education platform, hosting final year MB ChB students for the duration of their final year. A study entitled “What can be learned from the implementation of a portfolio assessment system, to be used in the assessment of clinical reasoning of final MB ChB students placed in a Rural Clinical School in South Africa? “ was conducted. The experience of educators and students during this process was explored. The findings are in keeping with the literature. Van Tartwijk & Driessen 2009, Eley et Al 2002, Lake & Ryan 2004, Burch & Seggie 2008 claim that portfolios drive deep student learning and develop clinical reasoning. Burch & Seggie (2008) offer an assessment tool which has proved feasible within the South African setting on which this portfolio assessment system was modelled. The assessment tool design faced a number of challenges within the RCS setting which were addressed during a review process. The portfolio assessment system is viewed as a work in progress requiring further development. Despite the constraints and challenges, both staff and students unanimously supported the development of patient case studies within the design as a valuable learning tool. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Portefeulje assesserings sisteem is ontwerp om die behoeftes van ‘n UKWANDA Landelike Kliniese Skool opvoedings program wat die gasheer van die MB ChB student tydens hul finale jaar is, na te kom. ‘n Studie genaamd “ Wat kan geleer word uit die implementering van ‘n portefeulje assesserings sisteem, wat gebruik gaan word om die kliniese redenering te bepaal van finale jaar MB ChB student wat geplaas is in ‘n Landelike Klinieke Skool in Suid Afrika? ” is uitgeoefen. Die ervaring van die dosent, so wel as die studente, is ondersoek. Die bevinding is in lyn met die literatuur. Van Tartwijk & Driessen 2009, Eley et Al 2002, Lake & Ryan 2004, Burch & Seggie 2008 beweer dat portfeuljes dryf student tot diep studie en ontwikkel kliniese redenasie. Burch & Seggie (2008) bied ‘n assesserings (hulp)middel aan wat toepaslik en uitvoerbaar is in die SA konteks , waarop die portfeulje assessering sisteem gebaseer is. Die ontwerp van die assesserings (hulp)middel het vele uitdagings binne die RCS opset in die oog gestaar. Dit is aangespreek tydens ‘n proses van hersiening. (Lather, 2006).Die portefeulje assesserings sisteem word gesien as ‘n werk onder hande en vereis verdere ontwikkeling. Ten spyte van die beperkinge en uitdagings het beide die staf en die student onomwonde die ontwikkeling van pasiente gevalle studies, binne die ontwerp, as ‘n waardevolle leermiddel gesien.

Thesis (MPhil)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Introduction: The close interrelation between the processes of learning, assessment and feedback has been recognized and supported extensively in the educational field for many decades. The benefits of the feedback as a strong tool for facilitating learning have been corroborated by learning theories and educational research. The introduction of Problem- Based Learning (PBL) approaches to higher education programmes, especially in medical training, is a worldwide trend. The PBL approach to learning brings new perspectives to the specific characteristics and values of feedback on learning and the quality of learning and thus, more especially to the role of the tutor as learning facilitator. Purpose: To explore the medical students’ perception of the role and utility of the verbal feedback provided by the tutor to students during the PBL tutorial sessions; and the students’ perceptions on how to improve the effectiveness of the feedback. Methodology: This study used a qualitative and interpretive methodological approach. The qualitative data collection tool used was the focus group discussion. The study was conducted at the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, where the faculty of Health Sciences has implemented the PBL approach for training. The research targeted the students in the third year of the MBChB program. Results: Students’ perceptions on the role of the tutorial feedback suggested that they strongly acknowledge its value: they see it as a tool for improving their learning skills and also as an enhancer of their learning motivation and regulation. The students also perceived it as instrumental in the modelling of programme-specific professional skills which would be required in their future medical practice. Students’ expectations from PBL-tutors feedback are quite high and comprehensive regarding both the kind and the nature of the feedback. Students perceived that the imperfections in the feedback received during tutorial sessions were a source of emotional discomfort and a hindrance to their learning success. The students’ need for clear, timely and regular provision of feedback, based on specific learning outcomes, was also highlighted. The participants’ recommendations for improving the efficient use of feedback included the regularization of the feedback practices across the different tutors and an increase in the allotted time for self-directed learning in their schedule. Conclusions: The results of this study support the need for a socio-constructive learning environment to ensure successful learning in PBL. Among other conditions, the harmonious provision of balanced, supportive and motivating feedback is a complement for the establishment of a learning environment conducive to learning. Similarly, students highlighted the need for highly skilled PBL-trained tutors, to enable them to self-monitor and self-regulate their learning, and ensure learning success via the facilitation and feedback. Higher Education Institutions using PBL training must identify and address factors limiting the effectiveness of the feedback and the overall quality of learning such as increased staff workload, increased demand for resources and modularization of courses. Recommendations: Higher education institutions using PBL training should address the need for training of tutors in the different aspects and practices of the feedback in the specific settings of the small group tutorial. External factors interfering with the effective use of tutors’ feedback should also be considered to minimize their negative impact on students’ learning. A regular process of curriculum enquiry is required to ensure the constructivist alignment of the different curricular components and overall design as a condition for the successful implementation of PBL.

Thesis (MPhil)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At the core of clinical education, within the allied health professions, is the teaching-learning relationship between the clinical educator and the student which is reinforced by and grounded in the explanatory theories of socio-constructivism, experiential learning and positioning. A good teaching-learning relationship is fundamental to the success of the students’ learning in the clinical environment. Clinical educators fulfil a dual role as mentors and assessors to students. The purpose of this study is to explore the students’ and clinical educators’ perceptions of the dual role of a clinical educator of students in the physiotherapy clinical environment, and how the perceptions of both parties influence the teaching-learning relationship. By following a phenomenological qualitative research approach with an interpretivist paradigm the researcher obtained data from focus groups and individual interviews. Data analysis involved a contextualised interpretive content analysis paradigm. The perceptions of the participants in the teaching-learning relationship, their particular expectations, challenges and preferences, reflect their experiences and are presented in the findings of the study. The findings of this study are comprehensively discussed and recommendations are made to transform the teaching-learning relationship by repositioning the participants (both students and clinical educators) in order to enhance the quality of the clinical learning experience within the physiotherapy clinical environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die onderrig-leerproses-verhouding tussen die kliniese dosent en die student vorm die kern van kliniese onderrig, ondersteun deur en op grond van die verduidelikende teorieë van sosiale konstruktivisme, leerervaring en posisionering, vir verwante gesondheidsberoepe. Die onderrigleerproses- verhouding word daarom beskou as die grondslag vir die sukses van leergeleenthede, aangesien die kwalitiet van die verhouding deurslagggewend is om studente se leerproses in die kliniese omgewing te ondersteun. Kliniese dosente speel ‘n dubbele rol as mentors en assessore vir studente. Die doel van die studie is om studente en kliniese dosente se sienings van die dubbele rol van ‘n kliniese dosent van studente binne die kliniese onderrigveld van fisioterapie in die kliniese omgewing te ondersoek, asook hoe die persepsies van albei partye die onderigleerproses- verhouding beinvloed. Die data word verkry van fokusgroepe en individuele onderhoude deur ‘n fenomenologiese kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering met ‘n interpreterende paradigma te volg. Die data is ontleed volgens ‘n kontekstuele interpreterende inhoudsontledingsproses. Die persepsies van die deelnemers aan die onderrig-leerprosesverhouding, hul spesifieke verwagtinge, uitdagings en voorkeure as drie breë temas van hierdie tesis, weerspieël hul ervarings en word weergegee in die bevindings van die studie. Die navorsing bespreek hierdie bevindings en doen regstellende aanbevelings oor die bevindings. Hierdeur kan die onderrig-leerproses-verhouding, deur herposisionering van albei partye (studente sowel as kliniese dosente), getransformeer word en die gehalte van die kliniese leerervaring in die fisioterapeutiese kliniese omgewing verbeter word.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Literature shows that the transition from high school to university is fraught with challenges and that there is need to appreciate these challenges from the students’ perspectives and devise ways of assisting the students navigate them smoothly. - Aim: To explore the perspectives of first year students at the University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences (UZCHS) regarding their transition from high school to the UZCHS and propose possible ways to manage the transition phase based on the students’ perspectives. - Objectives : The objectives of this study were to determine the students’ perspectives with regards to various factors that are known to affect the transition from high school to university. - Design: An evaluative research study design was adopted using a mixed method research approach sequentially applying a quantitative and qualitative method. - Method: Four hundred and eighty six (486) self-administered survey questionnaires with 23 closeended questions were distributed to all first year students in the UZCHS. Only 16 questions were analysed for purposes of this research project. A total of 49 interviews were conducted for the in-depth structured questions interview on a randomly selected group of students from each of the programmes. - Results : The response rate was 51% (246/486) ; 81.4% of students were in the 19 to 20 years age group; 52% males and 48% females; 44.4% of the students were enrolled in the MBChB programme. The major challenges faced by the students were the heavy workload; poor counselling services; sticking to timetables; using the library; poor teacher-student relationships; poor sense of belonging; living with a diverse population Frustrations at the UZCHS were identified as arising from academic issues: examinations marks; poor facilities; inadequate high school preparation for university grades and poor feedback. Students’ financing at university was also of concern to the students. The students found the orientation week most useful. The motivation for joining the UZCHS was for career prospects, personal desires and parental influence. Preparatory information given by the UZCHS was considered adequate but not sufficiently detailed. Factors that helped students settle in were the initial reception, orientation week, and the relationships between students, staff and lecturers. The role of parents, peers and friends in settling in was also highlighted as important. - Conclusions : The students’ perspectives on transition are similar to those reported in the literature:need for pre-university information, better accommodation, improved library facilities, improved counselling services, lengthening the orientation week, more detailed information about UZCHS before admission, improve pre-university contact with students ,reduced workload in order to accommodate extra-curricular social life. Students’ preparation for life and learning at university should start during high school. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Uit die literatuur is ditbaieduidelikdat die oorgang van studentevanaf die skoolnauniversiteitbaieuitdagend is. Daar is derhalwe ‘n behoeftedathierdieuitdagingsvanuit die perspektiewe van die studentebeskou word in ‘n poging om hulle op die meeseffektiewemanierteondersteunentebegelei. - Doelstelling: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die perspektiewe van eerstejaarstudente aan die Universiteit van Zimbabwe se Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe (UZCHS) te ondersoek wat betref die oorgang van hoërskool na die UZCHS, en wyses voor te stel om die oorgangsfase te bestuur, gebaseer op die studente se perspektiewe. - Doelwit: Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om te bepaal wat die studente se perspektiewe was oor die verskeie welbekende problematiese faktore teenwoordig in die oorgang van skool na universiteit. - Ontwerp: ʼn Evaluerende navorsingsontwerp is onderneem deur ʼn gemengde navorsingsmetode te volg. Dit is opeenvolgend deur ʼn kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metode toegepas. - Metode: ʼn Self-administrerende vraelysopname met 23 geslote vrae is ewekansig toegepas en versprei aan vierhonderd ses- en tagtig (486) studente van die UZCHS. Slegs 16 vrae is vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie geanaliseer. ʼn Onderhoud met in-diepte gestruktureerde vrae is ook gevoer met ʼn ewekansig geselekteerde groep studente (49) van elk van die programme wat aangebied word by die UZCHS. - Resultate: Die responskoers was 51% (246/486); 81.4% van die studente was in die ouderdomsgroep 19 tot 20 jaar; 52% was manlik en 48% vroulik; 44.4% van die studente was geregistreer vir die MBChB program. Die uitdagings deur die studente ervaar was onder andere die swaar werklading, swak studente-ondersteuningsdienste, om by te bly by die rooster, die gebruik van die biblioteek, swak dosent-student verhouding, ʼn swak gevoel van behoort aan, en om deel te wees van ʼn diverse samelewing. Frustrasies by die UZCHS het hul oorsprong gehad by akademiese kwessies: eksamenpunte; uitslae en swak terugvoering. Studente-finansiering aan die universiteit was ook ʼn bron van kommer by studente. Studente het die oriëntasieweek die nuttigste gevind. Die motivering om aan te sluit by die UZCHS het verband gehou met loopbaanvooruitsigte, persoonlike behoeftes en ouer-invloed. Voorbereidende inligting verskaf deur die UZCHS is beskou is voldoende maar sonder genoeg besonderhede. Faktore wat studente gehelp het om tuis te voel was die aanvanklike ontvangs, oriëntasieweek, en die verhoudings tussen studente, personeel en lektore. Die rol van ouers, portuurgroep en vriende om hulle te laat tuis voel, is aangedui as belangrik. - Gevolgtrekkings: Die studente se perspektiewe op oorgang is soortgelyk aan dié wat in die literatuur gerapporteer word. Daar is ʼn behoefte aan beter studentebehuising en biblioteekfasiliteite en studente-ondersteuningsdienste, en meer gedetailleerde informasie oor die UZCHS voor toelating. Studente glo ook dat die oriëntasie week verleng moet word en dat die werklading verminder moet word om hul buitemuurse sosiale lewe te akkommodeer. Studente se voorbereiding vir die studentelewe en universiteitstudies behoort reeds op hoërskool te begin.

MSc. Thesis / Introduction: In 2018, the College of Midwives of Ontario expanded the scope of practice for registered midwives to include performing point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to aid their obstetrical clinical assessments. This project evaluated learner sonography knowledge, skill acquisitions, and integration of this technology following an innovative POCUS curriculum developed for midwives to understand the impacts of this training. Methods: Concurrent triangulation with mixed methods was used in this study through surveys and interviews. First, the surveys were used to collect data across four time points including before and after the intervention. Five- and seven-point Likert scale questions were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Open-ended questions were qualitatively analyzed using thematic analyses. Second, the semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand participants’ attitudes and clinical behaviours. Interviews were coded and analyzed using a combination of Corbin and Strauss as well as Charmaz approaches to grounded theory. Results: The findings demonstrated how there was a positive growth in learner comfort with POCUS and a desire to continue using it during clinical practice. The frequency of POCUS use within antenatal care increased with common applications including fetal presentation and assessment of pregnancy viability. The interviews highlighted five themes: facilitating learning, improving care, refining the role of the midwife, serving community, and maintaining competency. Access to clinical placements and the cost of a device were identified as barriers to promoting POCUS skill sets. Participants who had access to a device and completed the clinical practicum are continuing to use sonography within their clinics to provide more comprehensive client care. Conclusions: This project demonstrates how POCUS training can positively impact midwives particularly with aiding clinical decision making such as those regarding fetal viability and presentation. However, the challenges with obtaining a clinical practicum to ensure competency and the cost and access to a device, are significant barriers that unless they are addressed, may result in minimal integration within community practices. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc) / The ability to conduct ultrasounds has recently been included in Ontario midwives’ scope of practice. This project evaluated a newly developed Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for practicing midwives to understand how midwives can learn and apply POCUS into their clinical work. Learners completed surveys at four time points from pre-course to one-year post-course to share their experiences of knowledge and skill acquisition and applying this training to their clinical work. Five midwives also participated in an interview to share their perspectives about the course more in-depth. It was found that Ontario midwives were very interested to learn POCUS to improve client care. Unfortunately, they struggled finding time and opportunities to refine their sonography skills such as securing a clinical practicum or the funds to purchase a device. However overall, POCUS in midwifery was well received, this technology and its respective education should continue to be supported in Ontario.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The theoretical / cognitive component of ethics and professionalism teaching to undergraduate medical students at Stellenbosch University (SU) is well developed, but a concern exists about the need for teaching and assessment of clinical ethics and professionalism on ward rounds. Some teaching does take place during clinical rotations in the form of role modelling as part of the hidden curriculum. Opportunities should be created for explicit teaching of ethics and professionalism beyond the hidden curriculum. Assessment of the cognitive component of ethical and professionalism occurs, but assessment of clinical ethics and professionalism during clinical rotations remains a challenge. Methods: This was a non-experimental study and included three subgroups of undergraduate medical students in their clinical years as well as a random sample of educators involved in clinical training. Questionnaires were distributed to the students and educators. This was followed by focus group interviews among the students. Results: A majority of the students (88%) had indicated that they had experienced ethical and professional dilemmas while working in the wards or during ward rounds. The main dilemmas revolved around inadequate consent processes, lack of confidentiality and privacy, disrespect for patients, poor communication and students being expected to perform tasks they were not trained for. An average of 64% of students indicated that ethical and professional issues were not discussed during the clinical rotations in hospitals. Seventy-eight percent of students indicated that they did not feel free to discuss their own feelings or beliefs on ward rounds. All of the educators felt that there was a need for increased teaching and assessment of the medical students during their clinical rotations. Conclusions: Deliberate opportunities need to be created for teaching ethics and professionalism on clinical ward rounds. This could be a shared responsibility between the clinical departments with continuous input throughout the clinical years of study. Strong institutional support and commitment are necessary to make the teaching sustainable and successful. Structured opportunities need to be developed where students can discuss ethical and professional issues in a safe environment. Further research is needed for the development of an appropriate curriculum and assessment tools. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Background: Formative feedback is an important process in facilitating student learning as it helps students identify learning gaps early enough and devise means of covering those gaps. Most health professional educators spend most of the time designing summative assessment tools and pay little emphasis to giving qualitative feedback to students throughout the learning process. This problem has been identified at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MaKCHS) and forms the basis of this study. Objectives: To investigate prior understanding of students and lecturers about formative feedback. The study also aimed at exploring experiences of students and lecturers regarding implementation of feedback in a resource-constrained context. Methods: This was an action research study using a participatory approach. Results: Initially, lecturers had some prior knowledge of feedback, however, students had misconceptions of what feedback could mean. After introducing a written feedback form, all participants expressed satisfaction with the feedback process. Key themes that emerged included: enhancing motivation, enhancing learning, promoting reflection and clarifying understanding. Conclusion: Students` motivation to learn can be greatly enhanced through formative qualitative feedback. A simple structured form is one way of providing qualitative formative feedback to students in resource-limited settings. Key words: formative feedback, structured form, action research.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The setting for this study was the University of the Western Cape, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, first year undergraduate students. All students who participated in the compulsory interprofessional programme were from the following disciplines: Occupational Therapy; Physiotherapy; Psychology; Social Work; Natural Medicine; Dietetics; Human Ecology; Sports Sciences and Nursing. The objectives of this study were to measure the attitudes and perceptions of first year students who participated in an undergraduate interprofessional programme. The attitudes and perceptions were further measured in relation to the specific lecturers involved, the age of the students, their gender, race, background as well their specific discipline. This was primarily a quantitative study incorporating two qualitative questions in which 657 students were issued with a questionnaire designed to determine their attitudes and perceptions towards interprofessional education. A sample size of 264 students resulted in 95% confidence intervals with a maximum precision of 5%. The questionnaire was adapted, with permission, from Cameron; Rennie; DiProspero; Langlois & Wagner (2009). MS Excel was used to capture the data and STATISTICA version 9 (StatSoft Inc. (2009) STATISTICA (data analysis software system), www.statsoft.com.) was used to analyze the data from the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the main features of the sample of this study and summary statistics was further used to summarize the findings of this study in order to communicate the bulk of the information as simple as possible. Two open-ended questions were included at the end of the questionnaire and this was used to triangulate the data. The Kruskal-Wallace test was used to measure the results, whereby a p-value of <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Of all the factors used to measure the attitudes and perceptions of students, the following three were significant: Gender; Race and Discipline. No other factors impact on the attitudes and perceptions of students towards interprofessional education. Student attitudes and perceptions towards interprofessional education were found to be very positive. The findings revealed that the most significant factor in the study was the lack of understanding of various disciplines participating in the programme and their understanding of the relevance of the teaching approach (interprofessional) as well as their specific role in the health care team. This clearly illustrated the need to recommend to the co-ordinating unit of the programme that this be defined more clearly for the students and specifically the Sports Sciences students. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie het plaasgevind by die Universiteit van die Wes-Kaap, in die Fakulteit van Gemeenskap en Gesondheidswetenskappe, met eerste jaar voorgraadse studente wat die verpligte interprofessionele program doen. Studente sluit in die volgende dissiplines: Arbeidsterapie; Fisioterapie, Sielkunde, Maatskaplike Werk, Natuurlike Medisyne, Dieetkunde, Menslike Ekologie, Sport en Verpleegkunde. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om die houdings en persepsies van die eerste jaar studente wat deelgeneem het in 'n voorgraadse interprofessionele program te meet. Houdings en persepsies was gemeet met betrekking tot die ouderdom geslag, ras,agtergrond sowel dissipline van spesifieke studente. Daar was ook gekyk of die betrokke dosente ń invloed het op studente se houdings en persepsies teenoor die program. Die studie was hoofsaaklik kwantitatiewe met n kwalitatiewe komponent. Vraelyse was uitgereik aan 657 studente om hul houdings en persepsies teenoor interprofessionele onderwys te bepaal. 'n Steekproefgrootte van 264 studente het in 95% vertrouensintervalle met 'n maksimum akkuraatheid van 5%. Die vraelys is aangepas, met toestemming, van Cameron, Rennie; DiProspero Langlois & Wagner (2009). MS Excel was gebruik om die data op te vang en Statistica weergawe 9 [StatSoft Inc (2009) STATISTICA (data-analise sagteware stelsel), www.statsoft.com] is gebruik om die data van die vraelyste te analiseer. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik om te beskryf die belangrikste kenmerke van die steekproef van hierdie studie. Opsommingstatistiek is verder gebruik om op te som die bevindinge van hierdie studie met die doel om die grootste deel van die inligting so eenvoudig as moontlik te kommunikeer. Twee oop vrae is ingesluit aan die einde van die vraelys en dit is gebruik om die data te trianguleer. Die Kruskal-Wallace-toets is gebruik om die resultate, waar 'n p-waarde van <0,05 aangedui word statistiese betekenisvolheid te meet. Van al die faktore wat gebruik was om die houdings en persepsies van studente te meet, was die volgende drie beduidende: geslag, ras en dissipline. Geen ander faktore impakteer op die houdings en persepsies van studente in interprofessionele onderwys. Studente se houdings en persepsies teenoor interprofessionele onderwys was beduidend positief. Die studie het bevind dat daar ń algemene gebrek aan begrip is vir die relevansie van die program. Dit sluit in hoekom die verskillende dissiplines aan die program deelneem as ook wat hulle spesifieke rolle in die gesondheidsorg span is. Die aanbeveling is dus dat die koördinerings eenheid van die program die kursus meer duidelik sal moet definieer om so doende die studente se kennis in terme van relevansie van die interprofessionele program uit te brei met spesifiek verwysing na die Sport studente.

Thesis (MPhil)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Anatomy remains a foundational subject in the preclinical years of medical and other allied health sciences courses, with exceptionally large volumes of content, and a unique practical aspect: conducting cadaveric dissection and the use of pre-dissected cadaver specimens. The educational climate can be set by incorporating a suitable introduction to the subject, addressing academically and emotionally underprepared students before the formal commencement of the Anatomy curriculum. The literature does not mention what such an Introduction Module should entail. Quantitative means such as questionnaires have been used to evaluate the perceptions and the emotional and psychological influence of Anatomy. It is often assumed that through words meaning is conveyed, providing researchers with data that can be objectively interpreted. But questionnaires are rather pre-emptive of what students might say about what they experience, and the number of possible answers is restricted. The use of drawings might be an opportunity for the students to express their unmediated feelings; strong emotions could appear in the form of images instead of words, allowing students to experience rather than verbalize feelings especially with a limited vocabulary. Qualitative data analysis enables the researcher to get at complex layers of meaning, interprets human behaviour and experiences beyond the surface appearance, provides rich evidence of this behaviour and/or experiences and consequently builds theory inductively from the data source. The primary purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility of using drawings to explore how a diverse group of students from the University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, view Anatomy and what insights can be gained from these drawings to inform the Introduction Module. Students were asked to draw their perceptions of Anatomy after approximately 10 weeks of allocated contact time, which includes lectures as well as practical sessions. A total of 74% (134 out of 181) drawings were handed in. A matrix-type method of analysis based on existing literature was formulated to analyse the drawings. Three dimensions were identified for each of the drawings: “what” is illustrated, then “how” is the message conveyed or illustrated, and lastly, the “emotion” communicated through the drawing. The reliability was increased with two interpreters who analysed the drawings. Learning approaches, orientation on human life and death, the general emotional state of individuals influenced by Anatomy, their course of study, the influence of family and friends are some of the aspects that were depicted in the drawings. The rich data encountered through the drawings provided curriculum organisers with insights enabling them to implement necessary changes to the Introduction Module in order to improve student preparedness for what is to follow during the Anatomy curriculum. Further studies are recommended on how student drawings can be utilised to inform curricula and in other educational contexts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Anatomie bly 'n fundamentele vakgebied in die prekliniese jare van mediese en ander verwante gesondheidswetenskappe kursusse, met besonder groot volumes van die studieinhoud en 'n unieke praktiese aspek: die uitvoer van kadawer disseksie en die gebruik van voorafgedissekteerde kadawer monsters. Die opvoedkundige klimaat kan ingestel word deur 'n geskikte Inleiding Module tot die kurrikulum te voeg wat akademies en emosioneel swak voorbereide studente kan voorberei vir die formele Anatomie kurrikulum. Literatuur noem nie wat so 'n Inleiding Module moet behels nie. Kwantitatiewe praktyke soos vraelyste is voorheen gebruik om die persepsies en die emosionele en sielkundige invloed van Anatomie te evalueer. Dit word dikwels aanvaar dat deur woorde betekenis oorgedra word wat navorsers van data voorsien wat objektief vertolk kan word. Maar vraelyste is vooropgestel ten opsigte van dit wat studente mag ervaar, en die aantal moontlike antwoorde is beperk. Sterk emosies kan na vore kom in die vorm van beelde in plaas van woorde, wat studente in staat stel om te ervaar, eerder as om gevoelens te verwoord, veral met 'n beperkte woordeskat. Die gebruik van tekeninge is 'n geleentheid vir die student om hul onverdeelde gevoelens uit te druk. Kwalitatiewe data-ontleding stel die navorser in staat om komplekse lae van betekenis te interpreteer, menslike gedrag en ervarings buite die oppervlak te analiseer, bied voldoende bewyse van hierdie gedrag en ervarings en kan gevolglik teorie induktief uit die data bron bou. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie is om die lewensvatbaarheid van die gebruik van tekeninge te verken in hoe 'n diverse groep studente aan die Universiteit van Limpopo, Medunsa-kampus, Anatomie sien en watter insigte kan verkry word uit hierdie tekeninge om die temas wat in die Inleiding Module aangespreek moet word, vas te stel. Studente is gevra om hul persepsies van Anatomie uit te beeld na ongeveer tien weke se formele kontaktyd, wat lesings, sowel as praktiese sessies insluit. 'n Totaal van 74% (134 uit 181) tekeninge is ingehandig. 'n Matriks-tipe metode van analise gebaseer op bestaande literatuur is geformuleer om die tekeninge te ontleed. Drie dimensies is geïdentifiseer vir elk van die tekeninge: "wat" is geteken, dan "hoe" is die boodskap wat oorgedra word geïllustreer, en laastens die “emosie” gekommunikeer deur die tekening. Die betroubaarheid is verhoog met twee individue wat die tekeninge ontleed. Leerbenaderings, oriëntering op die menslike lewe en die dood, die algemene emosionele toestand van individue en hoe dit hul persepsies van Anatomie beinvloed, die studiekursus waarvoor hul ingeskryf is, die invloed van familie en vriende, is 'n paar aspekte wat in die tekeninge uitgebeeld is. Die ryk data teëgekom in die tekeninge kan kurrikulum organiseerders in staat te stel om die nodige veranderinge aan die Inleiding Module te implementeer ten einde die voorbereiding van studente te verbeter vir wat gaan volg tydens die Anatomy kurrikulum. Verdere studies word aanbeveel oor hoe student tekeninge gebruik kan word om leerplanne en in ander opvoedkundige kontekste in te lig.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction and Background High fidelity simulation (HFS) refers to a mannequin that is modeled to represent a human and is programmed to produce physiologic functions such as palpable pulses, voices and abdominal sounds through computer interfaces. Recent introduction of HFS for learning nursing skills like critical thinking and problem solving in the developing world (Lesotho) has generated debate. The debate is centered on the acceptability of HFS, its effectiveness as a learning strategy compared to its high cost, especially in resource limited settings. Its acceptability in the developing world to date is mixed, affecting its ultimate utilization. Therefore contextual differences between developing and developed countries suggest that research findings on the evaluation of acceptability of HFS in the two places could be different. Additionally, health sciences education is a highly complex discipline with huge differences in practices within and across classes, schools, sites and countries, making it difficult to generalize findings from other settings to the setting of Lesotho. Aim The purpose of this study was to explore third year diploma in nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of HFS use in learning nursing skills. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to investigate HFS use at a school of nursing. Sixteen participants took part in three separate focus group discussions in two groups of five, and one group of six participants. The data was analyzed thematically. Results Students had mixed perceptions, positive and negative, based on the nature of their experiences which were both fulfilling and frustrating. This study revealed five key themes that shaped students experiences, hence perceptions of using HFS in learning. The themes are authentic learning environment, unique learning opportunities, access, contextual factors and transfer of skills. Discussion Student nurses had both positive and negative experiences of using HFS in learning. They believe that HFS is a valuable learning strategy but that it needs to be better utilized. Student nurses perceive HFS as providing an authentic learning environment which allows learning of complex skills like critical thinking and problem solving. On the other hand, they believe that learning can be improved if HFS is more accessible for use by students and if supervisors are adequately trained and students are better oriented on the use of HFS in learning. Conclusions HFS is viewed as an effective learning strategy among nursing students in resource limited settings, although there in need to improve its utilization for better learning experiences and outcomes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding en Agtergrond Hoëtrou-simulasie (HTS) verwys na ’n pop wat gemodelleer is om ’n mens te verteenwoordig en geprogrammeer is om fisiologiese funksies soos tasbare polse, stemme en abdominale klanke te lewer deur rekenaar-koppelvlakke. Onlangse bekendstelling van HTS in die aanleer van verpleegvaardighede soos kritiese denke en probleemoplossing in die ontwikkelende wêreld (Lesotho) het debat laat ontstaan. Die debat sentreer om die aanvaarbaarheid van HTS en sy effektiwiteit as ’n leerstrategie in vergelyking met sy hoë koste, veral in hulpbronbeperkte omgewings. HTS se aanvaarbaarheid op verskillende plekke in die ontwikkelende wêreld tot op datum is gemeng, wat die uiteindelike gebruik daarvan raak. Daarom dui kontekstuele verskille tussen ontwikkelende en ontwikkelde lande aan dat navorsingsbevindings oor die beoordeling van aanvaarbaarheid van HTS in die twee omgewings kan wissel. Bykomend is opleiding in die gesondheidswetenskappe ’n uiters komplekse dissipline met groot verskille in praktyke binne en oor klasse, skole, omgewings en lande, wat dit moeilik maak om bevindings van ander omgewings tot die omgewing van Lesotho te veralgemeen. Doel Die doel van hierdie studie was om derdejaar-diplomaverpleegstudente se persepsies en ervarings van die gebruik van HTS vir die aanleer van verpleegvaardighede te ondersoek. Metodes ’n Kwalitatiewe gevallestudieontwerp is benut om die verskynsel van HTS by Paray Verpleegkundeskool te ondersoek. Sestien deelnemers het aan die verskillende fokusgroepbesprekings deelgeneem in twee groepe van vyf, en een groep van ses deelnemers. Die data is ontleed met die gebruik van die konstante vergelykingsanalise-model. Resultate Studente het gemengde waarnemings, positief en negatief, ervaar, gebaseer op die aard van hul ondervindings wat sowel vervullend as frustrerend was. Hierdie studie het vyf sleuteltemas geopenbaar wat studente se ondervindings, en sodoende hul waarnemings van die gebruik van HTS in opleiding gevorm het. Die temas is outentieke leeromgewing, unieke leergeleenthede, toegang, kontekstuele faktore en oordrag van vaardighede. Bespreking Studentverpleegsters aanvaar die gebruik van HTS om verpleegvaardighede te leer. Hulle glo dat HTS ’n waardevolle leerstrategie is, wat egter beter benut moet word. Studentverpleegsters beskou HTS as ʼn verskaffer van ʼn outentieke leeromgewing wat die aanleer van komplekse vaardighede soos kritiese denke en probleemoplossing toelaat. Aan die ander kant glo hulle dat opleiding verbeter kan word indien HTS meer toeganklik is vir gebruik deur studente en indien toesighouers voldoende opgelei is en studente beter voorgelig word in die gebruik van HTS as opleidingsmiddel. Gevolgtrekkings HTS is ʼn aanvaarbare leerstrategie onder verpleegstudente in omgewings met beperkte hulpbronne, hoewel daar ʼn behoefte is om die benutting daarvan vir beter leerervarings en uitkomstes te verbeter.