Assessing Cultural Competency in Workplace-Based Professional Education
Presenting Author: Dr Rhys Jones
Project Team: Dr Rhys Jones, Dr Mark Barrow; Associate Professor Phillippa Poole; Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid; Dr Sue Crengle (University of Auckland)
Abstract
Why is it important?
The educational goals of professional programmes encompass more than intellectual and skill development: graduates are expected to embody the knowledge and skills in a manner that enables them to meet the standards expected of a practitioner of the profession. In this context cultural competence and a commitment to equity are important goals of professional education. Given that teaching and learning in this area involves higher order learning outcomes such as attitudinal change and critical self-reflection, assessment is a particular challenge. The aim of this session is to examine approaches to assessment in this area. We will draw on experience to date from an Ako Aotearoa-funded research and implementation project, Assessing Hauora Māori in Medical Students in Clinical Settings. While this project is particularly focused on assessing Māori health in medical education, the session will consider the broad issues around assessing cultural and other professional competencies in workplace-based education.
How will the session be run?
A presentation outlining the research project will be given. Following this, participants will be asked to get into small groups to discuss the topic from different disciplinary and/or educational perspectives, and to identify issues and possible solutions. Feedback will be sought from the groups, and a discussion will be held to identify effective approaches to assessment in this area as well as important considerations in design and implementation.
Dr Rhys Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a Public Health Medicine Specialist and Senior Lecturer at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland. He teaches Māori health at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. He has a leadership role in Māori health curriculum development at the University and is heavily involved in research that seeks to advance indigenous health education. Rhys is also Māori Director of Training for the New Zealand Public Health Medicine training programme and past chairperson of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (The Māori Medical Practitioners Association).