Barriers to staff attendance at the Basics in Medical Education (BiME) course organized by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta : a case study approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Basics in Medical Education (BiME) course aims to promote faculty development within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta. Despite being offered free of charge the turnout has been underwhelming. This research aimed to identify barriers to staff attendance.

METHODS: A qualitative, explanatory, single-case study was performed in 2020 after obtaining Ethics Committee permission. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with faculty members who self-selected to participate after receiving an invitation email; and through documentation analysis of anonymised participant feedback forms collected from previous iterations of the course held in 2018 and 2019. Data analysis was performed using Pattern Matching.

RESULTS: Individual and institutional barriers to attendance were identified. The main barrier was an individual’s personal characteristics, particularly a lack of appreciation of the importance of faculty development. Other barriers included a lack of time; a reduced awareness of the concept of separate professional and educator identities; a lack of information about the course; a feeling of isolation from the faculty community; and a possible insufficiency of institutional governance and recognition. Funding, and the interprofessional aspect of the course, were found not to be barriers to attendance.

CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of the specific barriers to attendance at the BiME course may allow the Faculty to mitigate these, encouraging staff attendance, and thus promote faculty development in medical education at the University of Malta.