title: Measuring medical students' orientation toward lifelong learning: a psychometric evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The principle of lifelong learning is pervasive in regulations governing medical education and medical practice; yet, tools to measure lifelong learning are lagging in development. This study evaluates the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JeffSPLL) adapted for administration to medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning-Medical Students (JeffSPLL-MS) was administered to 732 medical students in four classes. Factor analysis and t tests were performed to investigate its construct validity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum likelihood factor analysis identified a three-factor solution explaining 46% of total variance. Mean scores of clinical and preclinical students were compared; clinical students scored significantly higher in orientation toward lifelong learning (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The JeffSPLL-MS presents findings consistent with key concepts of lifelong learning. Results from use of the JeffSPLL-MS may reliably inform curriculum design and education policy decisions that shape the careers of physicians.
authors.affiliation: Office of Evaluation Studies, Richmond, VA 23298-0466, USA. apwetzel@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Angela P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mazmanian
authors.forename: Mohammadreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hojat
authors.forename: Kathleen O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Kreutzer
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Carrico
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veloski
authors.forename: Azhar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rafiq
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires