Virtual faculty development program in bioethics evaluated by Kirkpatrick model: A unique opportunity

Abstract

Background With a shortage of teachers willing to deliver bioethics courses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty development in bioethics has become increasingly important for capacity building in medical education. This study aims to determine the impact of an online course on faculty development in teaching bioethics. Methods This quasi-experimental study involved twenty-six multidisciplinary faculty members who participated in an online bioethics course from January 4th to 22nd, 2022. Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model was used to assess the participants’ reactions, knowledge, and behavior, using online questionnaires and direct observation by expert faculty. SPSS 25 was used for data analysis. Results The Kirkpatrick evaluation model showed that the course was highly satisfactory in terms of content and delivery, with a significant improvement in clinical faculty’s knowledge from pre-test to post-test (14.18 ± 1.601 to 16 ± 2.049, p < 0.05). The participants demonstrated an improved range of teaching and learning methods. Conclusion The online course on bioethics successfully improved the clinical faculty’s knowledge and overall approach to teaching bioethics. These findings highlight the importance of well-constructed faculty development programs, particularly during times of resource constraint such as the COVID-19 pandemic.