2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

A Q-methodology international multiphase study exploring cultural differences in the understanding of professionalism and leadership in medical education comparing Japanese and UK contexts

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21K10377
Research Institution	Fukushima Medical University
Principal Investigator	Maham Stanyon 福島県立医科大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 助手 (80863563)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	色摩弥生福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40291562) 大谷晃司福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50285029)
Project Period (FY)	2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Keywords	Professionalism
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	Phase one of the study has been completed as expected. The Qsort statements and grid design were finalised and back-translation carried out. A pilot study was completed and refinements made. Recruitment cycles for both Japan and the UK are complete, with Qsort grids and interviews completed from both sides. Translation of the Japanese data is complete and the analysis is underway. The pilot data was presented at the Japan Society for Medical Education and was awarded the society Silver Award. This result was featured in the journal of the Japan Medical Education Society, newsletters within Fukushima Medical University and on the university website, increasing publicity for the project. The phase 1 data has been accepted for presentation at AMEE (Association for Medical Educators in Europe) conference 2022 and is being written up for publication.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned. Reason The research is progressing more or less as planned. There was some delay in recruitment in the UK due to challenges imposed by COVID-19, as the strict countrywide lockdown meant students were not on campus and therefore were unable to view the advertising for the project recruitment. Imperial College forbids students to be directly contacted about research studies, therefore recruitment of students was slower than expected. This meant that the Qsort subscription required extension for the UK participants, which was funded by Imperial. The UK interviews also took longer than expected due to the UK remote working environment created as a result of COVID-19 made it difficult to conduct the interviews in the original time frame planned. The current status is as anticipated, with writing up of phase 1 in progress for publication and an international conference oral presentation accepted for AMEE 2022.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	Preparation is underway with a literature review to start Phase 2 of the research to explore cultural differences in the perception of leadership in the UK and Japan. There are no changes to research plan in implementing Phase 2.
Causes of Carryover	Underspend reason: The underspend was due to international conferences being held online rather than in person due to COVID-19. International travel expenses had been budgeted for. Additionally, due to the delay with recruitment, translation of the questionnaire data was pushed back to R4. Usage of additional funds: The additional funding for R4 will be used to facilitate a further international conference attendance (medical education) to facilitate further dissemination of this work, and to accommodate a further publication fees for publication in a high impact medical education journal.
Remarks	University webpage created to celebrate and advertise the Silver award of the Japan Society for Medical Education which was awarded to this research