P3.R346: Self Directed Learning: A Heutagogical Approach – Do Learners Like This?

Background: Residency educators believe that learning in a clinical setting and from group-based didactics is important but insufficient for excellence in practice and for successfully passing board exams. Some learning must also be self-directed. Residents need other diverse methods to learn besides just “read the book.” We created a 4-week Health and Development Curriculum for Pediatric residents. It was designed to (a) create dedicated time to learn normal development and well-childcare, apart from developmental/behavioral rotations and/or continuity clinic, and (b) to minimize faculty time required. This curriculum is grounded in constructivism-based heutagogy, a framework whereby learners construct their own knowledge through self-directed activities.

Methods: The curriculum includes three clinical experiences, developmental screenings in clinic, pairing with a seasoned pediatrician and a childcare experience plus 12 self-directed modules for which residents submit answers about development and well-care. The evaluation plan included (a) 15-item knowledge assessment, (b) Likert-scaled assessment of self-confidence for eight well-child activities, (c) Likert-scaled perceptions of self-directed learning, and (d) participants’ recommendations for curriculum improvement.

Results: T-tests show no significant difference between the knowledge pre-test and post-test scores. Chi-square tests show significant improvement in perceived self-confidence for 7/8 tasks of well-childcare including counseling on firearm safety, breastfeeding, fluoride varnish, and safe car seat usage. All resident showed a strong indication that self-directed learning strategy is a good method for learning.

Conclusion: The curriculum methods support our beliefs in heutagogy - that learners can construct new knowledge through their own exploration. The curriculum structure maximizes time for independent learning and minimizes faculty time while still providing needed guidance and feedback. Residents were confident that self-directed learning is a productive way to understand, apply and retain information. They were positive about the content and methods being a new and innovative way of educating. We want to share this unique curriculum that can be applied to many diverse disciplines and practices.