Evaluation of medical student program with the use of a reflective portfolio: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The concept of reflective practice is at the center of professional practice, allowing a bridge between theory and practice and learning from our own experiences in an ongoing process. Understanding what learners need such as regular observation of work, more responsibility, and technical and problem-solving with answers allows the teacher to help learners to progress to independence in pursing their own learning needs. Therefore, it is important that medical educators continually reflect and evaluate teaching ability to meet learners' needs and provide evidence to support it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, qualitative study was carried out using a combination of questionnaires and observed assessments. The study participants consisted of twenty final-year medical students from King's College London and took place at a hospital education center in the UK, April 2019. Two educational sessions were delivered by a doctor to the study group and a video recording was conducted. The educator completed a reflective portfolio using feedback questionnaires, peer observation forms, and observation of the video recording, and the results were analyzed using a video critique tool. RESULTS: Twenty learner feedback forms were completed, and a peer observation form was completed. This allowed a critical analysis of educator performance, reflection, and improvement. This was further solidified by in-depth analysis and critique of teaching session playback video. DISCUSSION: This study evaluates a medical student teaching program using a reflective portfolio. This study confirms the effectiveness of using a reflective portfolio to enhance the teaching experience. Video analysis can be self-critical, however this study shows how it is useful to review human experience first-hand, and identifying any specific techniques that create a positive or negative change can enable educators to improve as time progresses.