Priyadarshini Dattathreya, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Maureen Hall, Ross University School of Medicine
Daria Ellis, Hampton University
Purpose
Self-regulation and lifelong learning are essential competencies for physicians. To enhance students' development of these skills, we designed a conceptual framework, the 7Ps Framework, and an associated self-reflection inventory to structure our academic support programs and interventions. This study describes the development, implementation, and initial validation of the inventory.
Methods
The 7Ps Framework was developed using principles from self-regulated learning, sociocultural theory, and the theory of preventive stress management. These theories informed seven components: Plan, Prepare, Participate, Process, Practice, Performance, and Pause. A 26-item self-reflection inventory was designed to help students assess their lifelong learning skills. Content and face validity were evaluated through a card-sorting activity involving faculty and students to ensure clarity and alignment with the framework’s components. The inventory underwent iterative development and confirmatory factor analysis. Preliminary data were collected from 191 medical students over four months to evaluate the inventory's reliability and usability.
Results
Analysis of student responses yielded Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.52 to 0.86 across the seven factors, providing initial evidence for the inventory’s internal consistency. The 7Ps Framework has been integrated into our academic success programming, including academic coaching. Students use the framework to set learning goals and improve self-regulation strategies. Academic coaches use the feedback from the inventory to inform personalized coaching, facilitating structured support for academic success.
Conclusions
The 7Ps Framework and accompanying inventory have significantly streamlined our efforts to foster self-regulation and lifelong learning among medical students. Preliminary data indicate that the inventory is a psychometrically robust tool for assessing these critical skills, though further research is required to validate its predictive capacity. The framework has facilitated a shared understanding and provided a structured approach to lifelong learning initiatives. Future efforts will focus on further data collection, rigorous testing, and the evaluation of long-term impacts on learning outcomes.