Measuring medical students' orientation toward lifelong learning: a psychometric evaluation.
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.
Wetzel
Angela P
AP
Office of Evaluation Studies, Richmond, VA 23298-0466, USA. apwetzel@vcu.edu
Mazmanian
Paul E
PE
Hojat
Mohammadreza
M
Kreutzer
Kathleen O
KO
Carrico
Robert J
RJ
Carr
Caroline
C
Veloski
Jon
J
Rafiq
Azhar
A
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