The rapid growth and expansion of Master of health professions education (MHPE) programs: A mixed-methods study of international curricular trends and guidelines for programs

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores international trends and standards of Master’s degree programs through a comprehensive environmental scan and focus group interviews to understand curricular structure, content, program director expectations, educational context, and future directions.

Method

Authors conducted a two-phase mixed-methods sequential explanatory design to conduct the environmental scan (phase 1), and subsequently conducting focus groups (phase 2) with program directors. A population list of Master’s programs was used to generate a sampling frame, considering the geographic region (continent) and institution type (university, organization, public institution). Qualitative data were coded to analyze the breadth and depth of courses. Three one-hour virtual focus group interviews were conducted with ten program directors.

Results

The population list of 159 Masters programs worldwide was used to create a sample for analysis in the environmental scan (n = 46 Masters programs), representing programs from North America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Most programs (39%) delivered their courses online, with 20% exclusively offering an in-person program. Focus group participants indicated expectations of graduates, context in which they learn, as well as future directions for improving health professions education graduate programs.

Conclusion

Program directors should consider programmatic aims, localized needs, and quality/standard of the program in designing Masters programs, with individualized growth opportunities for learners.

Keywords:

• Graduate programs in health professions education
• curriculum
• MHPE

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the MHPE program directors that participated in the focus group study for their time and collaboration.

Ethical approval

Exemption from ethical review was provided by the Internal Review Board at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Glossary

Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE): Graduate degree program at the Master’s level intended for health professionals that provide the theory and practice of foundational knowledge and skills in areas such as curriculum planning, instruction and assessment, leadership, and management. The specific name of the degree program may differ; we refer to them generically in this paper as MHPE programs.

Notes

1 Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPE) referenced here includes all graduate degree Masters level programs in education for health professionals; specific degree names may vary between institutions. We refer to them generically in this paper using the term MHPE.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Ara Tekian

Ara Tekian is Professor, Department of Medical Education, and Associate Dean for International Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Michael Dekhtyar

Michael Dekhtyar is Research Associate, Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Yoon Soo Park

Yoon Soo Park is Professor and Head, Department of Medical Education, and Director of Research, Office of Educational Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.