Student engagement in undergraduate medical education: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Student engagement is defined as behavioural, cognitive and emotional aspects of students' academic experience in teaching, learning and research through interacting with other students, faculty and community. Despite the growing interest in the field of student engagement, medical education research in this area is still fragmented. This scoping review aims to contribute to the understanding of measurements, drivers and outcomes of medical student engagement.

Methods: The authors searched MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, ERIC, Science Direct and EBESCO for English articles published from 1990 until October 2021. In addition, we hand-searched key medical education journals and references in recently published articles. Using specific selection criteria, two authors independently reviewed the articles for eligibility, followed by data extraction using both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Results: Of the 2136 retrieved articles, 51 studies were selected for the review, and 94% of them were published in the past 8 years. The prevailing measures of student engagement failed to cover the multidimensionality of the construct with more focus on the behavioural dimension. Quantitative methods represented two thirds of the studies with a higher frequency of cross-sectional designs and using self-reports. The identified drivers of medical students' engagement are directed mainly to modifying the context of the learning environment. These factors increased student engagement by fostering relevance of learning, positive student relationships with peers and faculty, and enhancing student agency, and sense of competence. Cognitive engagement appears to be a positive predictor of academic achievement, but the relationship with other dimensions of engagement is controversial.

Conclusions: Student engagement in undergraduate medical education is an important, yet under-researched construct. The research that does exist suggests engagement to be malleable, something that can be modified by different types of interventions taking into consideration the context of education and practice. Further research is required, however, to address the gaps identified in this review.