Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35352384›Full record

ArticleMedical education2022

Medical students' views on the value of trigger warnings in education: A qualitative study.

Helen A Nolan, Lesley Roberts

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In one paragraph

Article in Medical education, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Helen A NolanWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-9796-0646
Lesley RobertsWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2353-2240

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTrigger warnings-advance notification of content so recipients may prepare for ensuing distress-feature in discussions in higher education. Students' expectations for warnings in some circumstances are recognised, and some educators and institutions have adopted use. Medical education necessitates engagement with potentially distressing topics. Little is known about medical students' expectations regarding warnings in education.

methodsAll students from a 4-year graduate-entry UK medical degree programme were contacted via digital message outlining study details and were openly sampled. Qualitative methodology was chosen to explore participant expectations, experiences and meanings derived from experiences. Students participated in semi-structured interviews exploring perspectives on functions, benefits and drawbacks of trigger warnings in classroom-based medical education. We analysed interview transcripts using thematic analysis.

resultsThirteen semi-structured, qualitative interviews were undertaken. Themes in the following areas were identified: (1) students' experiences influence understanding of trauma and trigger warnings, (2) warnings as mediators of learning experiences, (3) professional responsibilities in learning, (4) exposure to content, (5) professional ethos in medical education and (6) how to issue trigger warnings. Students recognised the term 'trigger warning', and that warnings are an accommodation for those affected by trauma. Students' conceptualisation of warnings was influenced by personal experiences and peer interactions both within and outside education. Students expressed both support and concerns about use of warnings and their ability to influence learning, assuming of responsibility and professional development. DISCUSSION: Diverse student opinions regarding warnings were identified. Most students suggested that warnings be used prior to topics concerning recognised traumas. Incremental exposure to distressing content was recommended. Students should be supported in managing own vulnerabilities and needs, while also experiencing sufficient formative exposure to develop resilience. Greater understanding of trauma prevalence and impacts and underpinnings of warnings amongst students and educators are recommended to optimise education environments and professional development.

Indexed as

Education, MedicalEducation, Nursing, BaccalaureateStudents, MedicalHumansLearningQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID35352384
PMCPMC9544229

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.