Crafting study tasks among medical students: the role of authentic medical teachers

Abstract

Background Though leadership has been highlighted as a salient skill for medical teachers in the medical education literature, the role of authentic leadership style among medical teachers in activating medical students’ learning behaviors has not been explored. Our study seeks to examine the effects of medical teachers’ authentic leadership on study task crafting behaviors among medical students. Methods Our study adopted a mixed-methods research design comprising observations of 100 surgical operations and 100 ward conferences led by medical teachers, and surveys on authentic leadership, study task crafting, and promotion focus. Structural equation modelling was utilized in the data analysis. Results Medical teachers’ authentic leadership demonstrated positive effects on the two study task crafting behaviors (seeking resources (B = 0.36, p < 0.001) and seeking challenges (B = 0.21, p < 0.05)) but not on reducing study task demands (B = 0.11, p > 0.10). Promotion focus was found to strengthen such positive effects of authentic leadership on seeking resources (B = 0.23, p < 0.05) and seeking challenges (B = 0.18, p < 0.05). Illustrative excerpts of intraoperative and conference conversations are presented. Conclusions Our study provided empirical evidence that medical students guided by authentic teachers expressed increased levels of study task crafting, which were further increased if medical students were promotion-focused.

Authentic leadership in the educational system and in nursing education: an integrative review

“…Finally, the study by Al-Moamary et al (23) assessed the authentic leadership scores of academic leaders of undergraduate courses in the health area, which were slightly higher than the scores of academic leaders of other courses, such as the medical course. About this course, it was proven that professors who lead with authenticity have the potential to develop students more positively (32) .…”

“…Luu and Vo (32) Vietnam PubMed, VI Examine the effects of authentic leadership of medical professors on task-making behaviors. N = 100 outpatient and 100 surgical tutorials.…”

“…In this third category, studies on authentic leadership in the educational system of health courses (8,20,23,32) were pointed out, as 9 of Authentic leadership in the educational system and in nursing education: an integrative review Flores CAS, Maier SRO, Moura AA, Balsanelli AP, Dias BM, Bernardes A.…”

A liderança autêntica no sistema educacional e no ensino da enfermagem: revisão integrativa

“…Luu e Vo (32) Vietnã PubMed, VI Examinar os efeitos da liderança autêntica dos professores de medicina nos comportamentos de elaboração de tarefas. N = 100 tutorias ambulatoriais e 100 cirúrgicas.…”

“…Nesta terceira categoria, foram relacionados os estudos sobre liderança autêntica no sistema educacional dos cursos da área da saúde (8,20,23,32) , assim como os estudos em que são observadas iniciativas de ensinar a liderança autêntica como uma competência inerente ao líder, desenvolvidas no ensino superior (15,21) .…”