1. The core competencies required by toxicology students in order to function effectively in a poisons information centre : a Delphi study
- Author
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Marks, Carine Johanna, Louw, A. J. N. (Alwyn Jacobus Nicolaas), Couper, Ian D., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Health Professions Education., Marks, Carine Johanna, Marks, Carine Johanna, Louw, A. J. N. (Alwyn Jacobus Nicolaas), Couper, Ian D., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Health Professions Education., and Marks, Carine Johanna
- Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The training of medical toxicologists in South Africa is inadequate. In developing countries, where accidental and intentional poisonings are problematic, a need exists for tuition in medical toxicology. Stellenbosch University (SU) developed a blended learning Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Toxicology (PGDip Tox) to bridge this knowledge gap. Prior to the development of the PGDip Tox, key learning outcomes were not well-defined and a need still existed to investigate the core competencies required by toxicology graduates to effectively operate in a poisons information centre. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the wider discipline of Medical Toxicology by clearly outlining the core competencies that underpin a medical toxicology curriculum. To reach consensus on what medical toxicology graduates must know (knowledge), what they must be able to do (skills) and what dispositions they must display (attitude), a structured communication survey was developed. With the survey, the Delphi technique was used and it included a set of carefully selected questions that were drawn from various sources. The questionnaire was distributed to participants that had a medical background as well as extensive knowledge in medical toxicology, and who were highly respected by colleagues nationally and internationally. In three iterative rounds, participants rated the relative importance of individual topics and suggested new ideas. Consensus was reached when a topic on the competency list was rated 70% or more. Forty-eight panellists (n=48) were invited to participate in the survey. A total of 134 competencies were selected for the three rounds. In the end, consensus was reached on 118 (88%) items. Panel members agreed that 113 (96%) of these items should be incorporated into a medical toxicology curriculum, and that five (4%) should be excluded. All panellists (100%) agreed that it is important for medical toxicology graduates to: 1.be able to effectivel, AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die opleiding van Mediese Toksikoloë in Suid-Afrika en ander ontwikkelende lande is onvoldoende en daar is ‘n behoefte vir onderrig in die behandeling van vergiftigings. Om die rede is n gemengde leermodel, ‘n Nagraadse Diploma in Mediese Toksikologie, deur Stellenbosch Universiteit ontwikkel. Ongelukkig was die leeruitkomste nie voorheen duidelik geidentifiseer en gedefinieer met die ontwikkeling van die kursus nie. Die literatuur beklemtoon die belangrikheid van kernbevoegdhede in gesondheidswerkers. Dit is dus belangrik, om die nodige bevoegdhede vir suksesvolle mediese toksikoloë wat in gifinligtingsentrums werk, te bepaal. Die studie is gebasseer op ‘n gestruktureerde kommunikasieopname wat ontwikkel is om te bepaal wat pas gekwalifiseerde mediese toksikoloë moet weet (kennis), moet kan doen (vaardighede) en wat hulle ingesteldheid daarteenoor (houding) moet wees. Die doel van die opname was om konsensus te bereik oor die kernbevoegdhede wat mediese toksikoloë moet besit. Die studie dra sodoende by tot die breër spesialiteit van Mediese Toksikologie. Hierdie studie het die Delphi-tegniek gebruik wat n stel sorgvuldige geselekteerde vrae bevat wat uit verskillende bronne geneem is. Die vraelys is versprei aan deelnemers met n mediese agtergrond en met ‘n uitgebreide kennis in mediese toksikologie. Hulle kennis in die verband word nasionaal en internasionaal deur kollegas gerespekteer. In drie herhalende rondtes het deelnemers die belangrikheid van individuele onderwerpe beoordeel. Nuwe onderwerpe kon ook voorgestel word. Konsensus is bereik as n onderwerp 70% of meer op die bevoegdheidslys bereik het. Ag-en-veertig paneellede is uitgenooi om aan die opname deel te neem. Altesaam 134 bevoegdhede is vir die drie rondtes gekies. Konsensus is bereik in 118 (88%) van die bevoegdhede. Volgens paneellede behoort 113 (96%) van die bevoegdhede in ‘n kurrikulum vir Mediese Toksikologie opgeneem te word. Vyf (4%) van die bevoegdhede is uitgesluit. Vol, Masters
- Published
- 2020