Papers by Marianna Hofmeister
Family Medicine, 2009
The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alb... more The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alberta, Canada. The study was designed to explore the personal side of migration and transition experiences of these international medical graduates (IMGs). A qualitative study using telephone interviews and a semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 19 IMGs who are currently practicing and have held Part V, restricted or temporary practice licenses for less than 7 years. Three major themes were identified. The first was the "push" from their own country of origin and their perception that moving to Alberta would be better for them. Professional opportunities in their home country had been affected by changing policies, lack of infrastructure, and personal/family safety issues culminating in highly stressful work environments. The second was "pull." An improvement in the quality of personal life was associated with geographical, educational, recreational, a...
Canadian Family Physician, 2007
To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs... more To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs' roles and responsibilities on interdisciplinary geriatric health care teams. Qualitative study using focus groups. Calgary Health Region. Seventeen FPs and 22 HCPs working on geriatric health care teams. Four 90-minute focus groups were conducted with FPs, followed by 2 additional 90-minute focus groups with HCPs. The FP focus groups discussed 4 vignettes of typical teamwork scenarios. Discussions were transcribed and the 4 researchers analyzed and coded themes and subthemes and developed the HCP focus group questions. These questions asked about HCPs' expectations of FPs on teams, experiences with FPs on teams, and perspectives on optimal roles on teams. Several meetings were held to determine themes and subthemes. Family physicians identified patient centredness, role delineation for team members, team dynamics, and team structure as critical to team success. Both FPs and HCPs h...
Admission into Canadian family medicine residency training programs is a competitive process for ... more Admission into Canadian family medicine residency training programs is a competitive process for interna-tional medical graduates (IMGs).1 From the perspective of Canadian programs, IMGs are physicians whose medical degree was conferred outside of Canada or the United States. Residency programs are challenged to assess the competence of heterogeneous groups of IMGs and to provide further orientation and educa-tion to applicants who are most likely to make the best residents and eventually the best physicians.2,3 IMGs who live in the Canadian province of Alberta may obtain a limited number of government-funded po-sitions for residency education by applying to Alberta’s
Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 2007
OBJECTIVE To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regard... more OBJECTIVE To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs' roles and responsibilities on interdisciplinary geriatric health care teams. DESIGN Qualitative study using focus groups. SETTING Calgary Health Region. PARTICIPANTS Seventeen FPs and 22 HCPs working on geriatric health care teams. METHOD Four 90-minute focus groups were conducted with FPs, followed by 2 additional 90-minute focus groups with HCPs. The FP focus groups discussed 4 vignettes of typical teamwork scenarios. Discussions were transcribed and the 4 researchers analyzed and coded themes and subthemes and developed the HCP focus group questions. These questions asked about HCPs' expectations of FPs on teams, experiences with FPs on teams, and perspectives on optimal roles on teams. Several meetings were held to determine themes and subthemes. MAIN FINDINGS Family physicians identified patient centredness, role delineation for team members, team dynamics, and team...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The global migration of physicians has led many international physician... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alberta, Canada. The study was designed to explore the personal side of migration and transition experiences of these international medical graduates (IMGs). METHODS A qualitative study using telephone interviews and a semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 19 IMGs who are currently practicing and have held Part V, restricted or temporary practice licenses for less than 7 years. RESULTS Three major themes were identified. The first was the "push" from their own country of origin and their perception that moving to Alberta would be better for them. Professional opportunities in their home country had been affected by changing policies, lack of infrastructure, and personal/family safety issues culminating in highly stressful work environments. The second was "pull." An improvement in the quality of personal life was associated with ...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple min... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple mini interview (MMI) to both international medical graduate (IMG) applicants to family medicine residency training in Alberta, Canada, and also interviewers for Alberta's International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP), an Alberta Health and Wellness government initiative designed to help integrate IMGs into Canadian residency training. IMGs are physicians who completed undergraduate medical education outside of Canada and the United States. IMGs who live in the Canadian province of Alberta may obtain a limited number of government-funded positions for residency training by applying to AIMGP. METHODS A literature review and faculty and medical community consultation informed the development of a 12-station MMI designed to identify non-cognitive characteristics associated with professionalism potential. Clinical scenarios were developed by family physicians and medical educators. Applican...
BJGP Open
BackgroundGlobally, medical schools struggle to ensure there is a sufficient number of graduates ... more BackgroundGlobally, medical schools struggle to ensure there is a sufficient number of graduates choosing family medicine as a career to meet societal needs. While factors impacting career choice are complex, one possible disincentive to choosing family medicine is the perception that it is less intellectually stimulating than specialty care.AimThe study sought to elicit student views on intellectual stimulation in family medicine, and their understanding of academic family medicine.Design & settingThis is a qualitative focus group study of volunteer students from the University of Calgary, Canada, and Newcastle University, UK.MethodSix focus groups were conducted with 51 participants. The data were analysed thematically.ResultsStudents associated intellectual stimulation in family medicine with clinical practice. Intellectual stimulation was related to problem solving and the challenge of having to know a little about everything, along with clinical uncertainty and the need to be v...
The Clinical Teacher
Background Nonverbal communication skills (NVCS) help physicians deliver relationshipcentered car... more Background Nonverbal communication skills (NVCS) help physicians deliver relationshipcentered care and effective use is associated with improved patient satisfaction, better use of health services and high quality clinical care. In contrast to verbal communication skills, NVCS training is underdeveloped in health care professions communication curricula. One of the challenges teaching NVCS is their tacit nature. In this study, we evaluated drama exercises to raise awareness of NVCS by making familiar activities 'strange'. Methods Workshops based on drama exercises were designed to heighten awareness of sight, hearing, touch and proxemics in nonverbal communication. These were conducted at eight medical
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, Nov 1, 2007
OBJECTIVE To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regard... more OBJECTIVE To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs' roles and responsibilities on interdisciplinary geriatric health care teams. DESIGN Qualitative study using focus groups. SETTING Calgary Health Region. PARTICIPANTS Seventeen FPs and 22 HCPs working on geriatric health care teams. METHOD Four 90-minute focus groups were conducted with FPs, followed by 2 additional 90-minute focus groups with HCPs. The FP focus groups discussed 4 vignettes of typical teamwork scenarios. Discussions were transcribed and the 4 researchers analyzed and coded themes and subthemes and developed the HCP focus group questions. These questions asked about HCPs' expectations of FPs on teams, experiences with FPs on teams, and perspectives on optimal roles on teams. Several meetings were held to determine themes and subthemes. MAIN FINDINGS Family physicians identified patient centredness, role delineation for team members, team dynamics, and team structure as critical to team success. Both FPs and HCPs had a continuum of beliefs about the role FPs should play on teams, including whether FPs should be autonomous or collaborative decision makers, the extent to which FPs should work within or outside teams, whether FPs should be leaders or simply members of teams, and the level of responsibility implied or explicit in their roles. This article has been peer reviewed. Full text is available in English at www.cfp.ca.
Family medicine
The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alb... more The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alberta, Canada. The study was designed to explore the personal side of migration and transition experiences of these international medical graduates (IMGs). A qualitative study using telephone interviews and a semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 19 IMGs who are currently practicing and have held Part V, restricted or temporary practice licenses for less than 7 years. Three major themes were identified. The first was the "push" from their own country of origin and their perception that moving to Alberta would be better for them. Professional opportunities in their home country had been affected by changing policies, lack of infrastructure, and personal/family safety issues culminating in highly stressful work environments. The second was "pull." An improvement in the quality of personal life was associated with geographical, educational, recreational, a...
Family medicine
This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple mini interview (MMI) to both ... more This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple mini interview (MMI) to both international medical graduate (IMG) applicants to family medicine residency training in Alberta, Canada, and also interviewers for Alberta's International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP), an Alberta Health and Wellness government initiative designed to help integrate IMGs into Canadian residency training. IMGs are physicians who completed undergraduate medical education outside of Canada and the United States. IMGs who live in the Canadian province of Alberta may obtain a limited number of government-funded positions for residency training by applying to AIMGP. A literature review and faculty and medical community consultation informed the development of a 12-station MMI designed to identify non-cognitive characteristics associated with professionalism potential. Clinical scenarios were developed by family physicians and medical educators. Applicant and interviewer posttest accepta...
Family medicine, 2009
The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alb... more The global migration of physicians has led many international physicians to enter practice in Alberta, Canada. The study was designed to explore the personal side of migration and transition experiences of these international medical graduates (IMGs). A qualitative study using telephone interviews and a semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 19 IMGs who are currently practicing and have held Part V, restricted or temporary practice licenses for less than 7 years. Three major themes were identified. The first was the "push" from their own country of origin and their perception that moving to Alberta would be better for them. Professional opportunities in their home country had been affected by changing policies, lack of infrastructure, and personal/family safety issues culminating in highly stressful work environments. The second was "pull." An improvement in the quality of personal life was associated with geographical, educational, recreational, a...
Family medicine
This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple mini interview (MMI) to both ... more This study describes and assesses the acceptability of the multiple mini interview (MMI) to both international medical graduate (IMG) applicants to family medicine residency training in Alberta, Canada, and also interviewers for Alberta's International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP), an Alberta Health and Wellness government initiative designed to help integrate IMGs into Canadian residency training. IMGs are physicians who completed undergraduate medical education outside of Canada and the United States. IMGs who live in the Canadian province of Alberta may obtain a limited number of government-funded positions for residency training by applying to AIMGP. A literature review and faculty and medical community consultation informed the development of a 12-station MMI designed to identify non-cognitive characteristics associated with professionalism potential. Clinical scenarios were developed by family physicians and medical educators. Applicant and interviewer posttest accepta...
Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien, 2007
To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs... more To examine the beliefs and attitudes of FPs and health care professionals (HCPs) regarding FPs' roles and responsibilities on interdisciplinary geriatric health care teams. Qualitative study using focus groups. Calgary Health Region. Seventeen FPs and 22 HCPs working on geriatric health care teams. Four 90-minute focus groups were conducted with FPs, followed by 2 additional 90-minute focus groups with HCPs. The FP focus groups discussed 4 vignettes of typical teamwork scenarios. Discussions were transcribed and the 4 researchers analyzed and coded themes and subthemes and developed the HCP focus group questions. These questions asked about HCPs' expectations of FPs on teams, experiences with FPs on teams, and perspectives on optimal roles on teams. Several meetings were held to determine themes and subthemes. Family physicians identified patient centredness, role delineation for team members, team dynamics, and team structure as critical to team success. Both FPs and HCPs h...
Medical Education, 2009
The multiple mini-interview (MMI) was used to measure professionalism in international medical gr... more The multiple mini-interview (MMI) was used to measure professionalism in international medical graduate (IMG) applicants for family medicine residency in Alberta for positions accessed through the Alberta International Medical Graduate (AIMG) Program. This paper assesses the evidence for the MMI's reliability and validity in this context. METHODS A group of 71 IMGs participated in our 12-station MMI designed to assess professionalism competency. A 10-point scale evaluated applicants on ability to address the objectives of the situation, interpersonal skills, suitability for a residency and for family medicine, and overall performance. We conducted generalisability and decision studies to assess the reliability of MMI scores. We assessed the validity by examining the differences in MMI scores associated with session, track and socio-demographic characteristics of applicants and by measuring the correlations between MMI scores and scores on compulsory examinations, including the AIMG objective structured clinical examination, the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) and the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE I). We measured the correlation between MMI and non-requisite MCCQE Part II (MCCQE II) scores that were provided. RESULTS The reliability as indicated by the generalisability coefficient associated with average station scores was 0.70 with one interviewer per station. There were no statistically significant differences in total MMI scores or mean station sum scores based on session, track, applicant age, gender, years since medical school completion, or language of medical school. There were low, non-significant correlations with OSCE overall (r = 0.15), MCCEE (r = 0.01) and MCCQE I (r = 0.06) scores and a higher non-significant correlation with MCCQE II scores (r = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that the MMI offers a reliable and valid assessment of professionalism in IMG doctors applying for Canadian family medicine residencies and that this clinically situated MMI assessed facets of competency other than those assessed by the OSCE.
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Papers by Marianna Hofmeister