title: From PBL tutoring to PBL coaching in undergraduate medical education: an interpretative phenomenological analysis study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coaching psychology is of increasing interest to medical educators for its potential benefits as a facilitative method in problem-based learning (PBL). However, the field lacks empirical studies that explore the lived experiences of students and tutors in the PBL coaching process. This study aimed to elicit knowledge regarding medical students' and tutors' experiences and perceptions of PBL coaching in the context of Chinese undergraduate medical education.
  
  
  METHODS
  The qualitative methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed. Participants comprised third year medical students (n=20) and PBL tutors (n=5) who have adopted a coaching approach in PBL for a semester. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences of PBL coaching. Data analysis followed an iterative four-stage scheme of Biggerstaff and Thompson.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six main themes emerged from diverse experiences and interpretations: 1) mindsets of coaching and learning, 2) the development of learning dispositions and capacities, 3) student group collaboration, 4) tutor-student relationships, 5) personal and professional development, and 6) challenges and difficulties in implementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It could be concluded that PBL coaching is a dynamic, facilitative process that makes a particular contribution to the learning process from psychological, emotional, and social perspectives, whilst it demonstrates significant overlaps with PBL tutoring in terms of supporting students' cognitive activities in PBL. Further research is needed to identify the barriers and challenges for medical educators to implement coaching in the PBL process.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; lihuipingpaper@126.com.
authors.forename: Huiping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Weiguo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods*; D010465:Perception; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: IPA; coaching; coaching psychology; medical education; problem-based learning