Du Xiangyu, Du Jiayi, Shang Lin, Yin Zhao, Jiang Li
Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
BMJ Open. 2025 Feb 20;15(2):e088688. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088688.
Exploration of influencing factors and promotion strategies for self-directed learning (SDL) is a current research hotspot. However, there is a dearth of relevant research among medical trainees. The objective of the present study was to explore the perceptions of SDL among medical trainees, while also identifying the multidimensional factors associated with SDL and potential facilitating strategies from the perspective of medical trainees.
This multicentre qualitative study used focus group discussions to gather insights into SDL, analysed through thematic analysis. NVivo V.12 was used for efficient data management and processing.
Four focus group discussions were held at three large tertiary hospitals in mainland China from December 2022 to July 2023.
This study used purposive sampling to recruit eligible participants from the selected hospitals, primarily through instructor recommendations. Recruitment was further supported by snowball sampling, where trainees who completed the interviews referred additional participants. Medical trainees from three major tertiary hospitals in mainland China were ultimately invited to participate in the study.
A total of four focus group discussions were conducted involving 17 medical trainees. Thirteen themes were summarised and assigned into three categories: (1) perceptions of SDL among medical trainees, (2) multidimensional factors affecting SDL among medical trainees and (3) potential improvement strategies.
This qualitative study investigated the perspectives of medical trainees regarding SDL across various grades and hospitals in mainland China. The participants universally acknowledged the significance of SDL and expressed a strong aspiration to enhance their competence in this area. The study identified that the factors influencing SDL abilities are multifaceted, highlighting the need for tailored intervention strategies to address these challenges effectively.
探索自主学习（SDL）的影响因素和促进策略是当前的研究热点。然而，医学实习生中相关研究匮乏。本研究的目的是探讨医学实习生对自主学习的看法，同时从医学实习生的角度确定与自主学习相关的多维度因素和潜在的促进策略。
本多中心定性研究采用焦点小组讨论来收集对自主学习的见解，并通过主题分析进行分析。使用NVivo V.12进行高效的数据管理和处理。
2022年12月至2023年7月期间，在中国大陆的三家大型三级医院举行了四次焦点小组讨论。
本研究采用目的抽样法，主要通过教师推荐从选定医院招募符合条件的参与者。滚雪球抽样进一步支持了招募工作，即完成访谈的实习生推荐其他参与者。最终邀请了中国大陆三家大型三级医院的医学实习生参与本研究。
共进行了四次焦点小组讨论，涉及17名医学实习生。总结出13个主题，并分为三类：（1）医学实习生对自主学习的看法，（2）影响医学实习生自主学习的多维度因素，（3）潜在的改进策略。
这项定性研究调查了中国大陆不同年级和医院的医学实习生对自主学习的看法。参与者普遍认识到自主学习的重要性，并表达了增强这方面能力的强烈愿望。研究发现，影响自主学习能力的因素是多方面的，突出了需要制定针对性的干预策略来有效应对这些挑战。
