Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions

Research articles

Personality type profiles of medical students and their differences by gender, age, and academic level in Korea: a cross-sectional study: Yera Hur, Sanghee Yeo; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2026;23:7. Published online April 28, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2026.23.7 [Epub ahead of print]

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
Understanding the psychological characteristics of contemporary medical students is essential for effective educational design and learner support. This study aimed to identify medical students’ personality types using a geometric personality assessment tool (GEOPIA), determine whether differences exist by gender, age, or academic level, and explore the practical utility of such profiling for supporting educational practices in medical school settings.
Methods
The 40-item Korean Geometric Psychological Assessment (GEOPIA) was administered to 1,173 students across 5 Korean medical schools. GEOPIA classifies individuals into 4 primary types—Round (sociable, relationship-oriented), Triangle (task-oriented, challenging), Box (prudent, stability-seeking), and Curve (creative, sensitive). Frequency analyses and χ² tests were conducted. Of the 1,016 respondents (response rate, 86.61%), 981 were included in the final analysis.
Results
The most common primary type was Round (40.3%), followed by Box (31.7%), Triangle (15.2%), and Curve (12.8%). Across the 12 combined profiles, Round–Box (21.9%) was the most prevalent, followed by Box–Round (19.0%) and Round–Triangle (9.7%). No significant differences were observed by gender (χ²=6.360, P=0.095, Cramer’s V=0.082), age (χ²=8.314, P=0.091, Cramer’s V=0.065), or academic level (χ²=18.044, P=0.260, Cramer’s V=0.078).
Conclusion
GEOPIA may provide a practical tool for identifying learner characteristics and supporting educational decision-making in medical school settings. In instructional design, personality-type data can inform group formation, activity planning, and assignment structure. In student support, the tool offers instructors and advisors a quick way to understand learners’ characteristics, which may help guide individualized counseling and promote effective learning experiences.

Development of a character qualities test for medical students in Korea using polytomous item response theory and factor analysis: a preliminary scale development study: Yera Hur, Dong Gi Seo; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2023;20:20. Published online June 26, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2023.20.20

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Purpose
This study aimed to develop a test scale to measure the character qualities of medical students as a follow-up study on the 8 core character qualities revealed in a previous report.
Methods
In total, 160 preliminary items were developed to measure 8 core character qualities. Twenty questions were assigned to each quality, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among 856 students in 5 medical schools in Korea. Using the partial credit model, polytomous item response theory analysis was carried out to analyze the goodness-of-fit, followed by exploratory factor analysis. Finally, confirmatory factor and reliability analyses were conducted with the final selected items.
Results
The preliminary items for the 8 core character qualities were administered to the participants. Data from 767 students were included in the final analysis. Of the 160 preliminary items, 25 were removed by classical test theory analysis and 17 more by polytomous item response theory assessment. A total of 118 items and sub-factors were selected for exploratory factor analysis. Finally, 79 items were selected, and the validity and reliability were confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis and intra-item relevance analysis.
Conclusion
The character qualities test scale developed through this study can be used to measure the character qualities corresponding to the educational goals and visions of individual medical schools in Korea. Furthermore, this measurement tool can serve as primary data for developing character qualities tools tailored to each medical school’s vision and educational goals.

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Development and validation of a fall health literacy scale for Chinese hospitals from the perspective of older adults
Tianxin Miao, Ke Chen, Dianli Han, Yingna Zhao, Liran Duan, Lan Zhang, Ying Yao
Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The Values of Local Wisdom in the Jong Racing Tradition as a Means of Character Education for Students
Rika Komalasari, Pittanauli Sialagan, Ima Turyani, Zaitun Zaitun, Tety Kurmalasari, J. bin Surif, G.M. Jacobs, D. Wei Dai, M.V. Reddy, T. Yamamoto, H. Pardi
SHS Web of Conferences.2024; 205: 03005. CrossRef

Definition of character for medical education based on expert opinions in Korea: Yera Hur; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2021;18:26. Published online September 29, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.26

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose
This follow-up study focused on 3 overarching questions: what keywords can be extracted from experts’ definitions of character?; what is the operational definition of character for medical students?; and what possible solutions can be suggested to address the issues of character education that were identified in the previous study?
Methods
Sixty-three medical education experts recruited through expert sampling and 19 non-medical education experts recruited through snowball sampling answered a questionnaire that addressed the 3 major questions of the study. The responses were analyzed for descriptive statistics with supplementary keyword extraction tools, including the Cortical and Monkey keyword extractors.
Results
A total of 93 definitional statements were counted, and 138 keyword terms were extracted. The top 5 keyword terms mentioned by the medical education experts were “patient”, “empathy”, “qualities”, “attitude”, and “ability”. These keyword terms were quite different from those mentioned by the non-medical education experts. Based on the extracted keywords, an operational definition of character education by the medical education expert group was presented as follows: the basic qualities and ability to empathize with patients affected by illness based on respect for patients and others. Various methods were proposed to solve the issue of character education, and many of them pointed to curriculum development, such as improvements in teaching and learning methods and evaluation methods, including role modeling.
Conclusion
A clear statement of the concept of character education is the start to resolve issues of character education. Character education improvements will be possible at the institutional level according to the above results.

Citations

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Development of a character qualities test for medical students in Korea using polytomous item response theory and factor analysis: a preliminary scale development study
Yera Hur, Dong Gi Seo
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2023; 20: 20. CrossRef
Medical students’ self-evaluation of character, and method of character education
Yera Hur, Sanghee Yeo, Keumho Lee
BMC Medical Education.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
The role of mentoring, supervision, coaching, teaching and instruction on professional identity formation: a systematic scoping review
Rachelle Qi En Toh, Kai Kee Koh, Jun Kiat Lua, Ruth Si Man Wong, Elaine Li Ying Quah, Aiswarya Panda, Chong Yao Ho, Nicole-Ann Lim, Yun Ting Ong, Keith Zi Yuan Chua, Victoria Wen Wei Ng, Sabine Lauren Chyi Hui Wong, Luke Yu Xuan Yeo, Sin Yee See, Jolene J
BMC Medical Education.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Brief report

Core elements of character education essential for doctors suggested by medical students in Korea: a preliminary study: Yera Hur, Keumho Lee; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2020;17:43. Published online December 21, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2020.17.43

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

This preliminary study aimed to determine how medical students perceive character education in Korea. A structured survey questionnaire was distributed to 10 medical students between September and December 2018, of whom 6 students replied. Students’ responses were classified into elements, which were also categorized. Twenty-nine core elements of characters in 8 categories were verified as essential for doctors and as needs for character education. The most frequently suggested categories were “care and respect,” “empathy and communication,” and “responsibility and calling.” Participants also stated that various forms of character education are necessary and that they were not satisfied with the teaching methods of the character education that they had received. These results verified the most essential character traits for doctors and identified problems related to current character education. The results of this study will be helpful for preparing the character education curriculum in medical schools.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Character education empirical research: A thematic review and comparative content analysis
Peter Oldham, Shane McLoughlin
Journal of Moral Education.2025; : 1. CrossRef
Medical students’ self-evaluation of character, and method of character education
Yera Hur, Sanghee Yeo, Keumho Lee
BMC Medical Education.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Ethical and Moral Issues in Undergraduate Medical Education: An Exploratory Study
Noor-i-Kiran Naeem, Zil-e-Fatima Naeem, Asfandyar Anwer
Journal of Shalamar Medical & Dental College - JSHMDC.2022; 3(2): 48. CrossRef
Definition of character for medical education based on expert opinions in Korea
Yera Hur
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2021; 18: 26. CrossRef

Research article

Identification and evaluation of the core elements of character education for medical students in Korea: Yera Hur, Keumho Lee; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2019;16:21. Published online August 20, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2019.16.21

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose
Medicine requires uniquely high levels of motivation, ethics, and altruistic values and behavior. This study was conducted to redefine character education in medical education and to identify and evaluate the core elements of physicians’ character.
Methods
A 3-round Delphi survey was conducted among professors of medical education, physicians, experts from nursing schools, and a head nurse in Korea. A consultant group (CG) was formed to prepare the Delphi survey, discuss the research results, and set directions for future initiatives. The 3 rounds of the Delphi survey were conducted between September 2018 and February 2019.
Results
From the first-round Delphi survey, which inquired about the 10 key character elements required for medical students, a total of 420 elements were collected. The top 10 categories were selected and classified. After the second and third rounds of the Delphi consensus process and a series of CG meetings, the following 8 core categorical elements were identified: service and sacrifice, empathy and communication, care and respect, honesty and humility, responsibility and calling, collaboration and magnanimity, creativity and positivity, and patience and leadership. The average score of medical graduates for the core elements ranged from 2.45 to 3.46 (standard deviation, 0.23–0.60) on a 5-point Likert scale.
Conclusion
Eight core categorical elements of the character of medical students were identified. The results of this study can be used as a reference for establishing the goals and desired outcomes of character education at the level of undergraduate or graduate medical education.

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Enhancing Pediatric Interns’ Clinical Skills Through Simulation-Based Training
Hongjun Ba, Lingling Xu, Huimin Peng, Yufen Gu, Yijuan Li, Xiaoyun Jiang, Xiaoyu Li, Shujuan Li
Advances in Medical Education and Practice.2025; Volume 16: 1209. CrossRef
The Values of Local Wisdom in the Jong Racing Tradition as a Means of Character Education for Students
Rika Komalasari, Pittanauli Sialagan, Ima Turyani, Zaitun Zaitun, Tety Kurmalasari, J. bin Surif, G.M. Jacobs, D. Wei Dai, M.V. Reddy, T. Yamamoto, H. Pardi
SHS Web of Conferences.2024; 205: 03005. CrossRef
Defining Leadership in Undergraduate Medical Education, Networks, and Instructors: A Scoping Review
Pablo Rodríguez-Feria, Katarzyna Czabanowska, Suzanne Babich, Daniela Rodríguez-Sánchez, Fredy Leonardo Carreño Hernández, Luis Jorge Hernández Flórez
International Medical Education.2023; 2(1): 49. CrossRef
Divergence and Convergence of the Public Health Leadership Competency Framework Against Others in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review
Pablo Rodríguez-Feria, Katarzyna Czabanowska, Suzanne Babich, Daniela Rodríguez-Sánchez, Fredy Leonardo Carreño Hernández, Luis Jorge Hernández Flórez
Public Health Reviews.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Development of a character qualities test for medical students in Korea using polytomous item response theory and factor analysis: a preliminary scale development study
Yera Hur, Dong Gi Seo
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2023; 20: 20. CrossRef
Medical students’ self-evaluation of character, and method of character education
Yera Hur, Sanghee Yeo, Keumho Lee
BMC Medical Education.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Ethical and Moral Issues in Undergraduate Medical Education: An Exploratory Study
Noor-i-Kiran Naeem, Zil-e-Fatima Naeem, Asfandyar Anwer
Journal of Shalamar Medical & Dental College - JSHMDC.2022; 3(2): 48. CrossRef
Definition of character for medical education based on expert opinions in Korea
Yera Hur
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2021; 18: 26. CrossRef
Core elements of character education essential for doctors suggested by medical students in Korea: a preliminary study
Yera Hur, Keumho Lee
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2020; 17: 43. CrossRef

Editorials

Bibliometric and content analysis of Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions in 2018: Yera Hur; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2018;15:35. Published online December 28, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2018.15.35

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Promotion to Top-Tier Journal and Development Strategy of the Annals of Laboratory Medicine for Strengthening its Leadership in the Medical Laboratory Technology Category: A Bibliometric Study
Sun Huh
Annals of Laboratory Medicine.2022; 42(3): 321. CrossRef

Interesting statistics regarding the papers published in Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions in 2017: Yera Hur; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2017;14:36. Published online December 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2017.14.36

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Bibliometric and content analysis of Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions in 2018
Yera Hur
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions.2018; 15: 35. CrossRef

Research article

The job competency of radiological technologists in Korea based on specialists opinion and questionnaire survey: Chang-Seon Lim, Yang-Sub Lee, Yong-Dae Lee, Hyun-Soo Kim, Gye-Hwan Jin, Seong-Youl Choi, Yera Hur; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2017;14:9. Published online May 11, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2017.14.9

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Abstract PDF

Purpose
Although there are over 40,000 licensed radiological technologists (RTs) in Korea, job competency standards have yet to be defined. This study aims to clarify the job competency of Korean RTs. Methods: A task force team of 11 professional RTs were recruited in order to analyze the job competency of domestic and international RTs. A draft for the job competency of Korean RTs was prepared. A survey was then conducted sampling RTs and the attitudes of their competencies were recorded from May 21 to July 30, 2016. Results: We identified five modules of professionalism, patient management, health and safety, operation of equipment, and procedure management and 131 detailed job competencies for RTs in Korea. “Health and safety” had the highest average score and “professionalism” had the lowest average score for both job performance and importance. The content validity ratios for the 131 subcompetencies were mostly valid. Conclusion: Establishment of standard guidelines for RT job competency for multidisciplinary healthcare at medical institutions may be possible based on our results, which will help educators of RT training institutions to clarify their training and education.

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E. Susiku, J. Hewitt-Taylor, T.N. Akudjedu
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Journal of the Korean Society of MR Technology.2025; 35(4): 11. CrossRef
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A 360-degree evaluation of the professionalism and communication skills of technologists working in the radiology department of a public sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan
N. Rafiq, N. Naz, R. Memon, J. Shoukat, K. Kumari, H. Shaikh, F. Akram
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Digital skills of therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists – Document analysis for a European educational curriculum
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Radiography.2022; 28(4): 955. CrossRef
Stakeholder Engagement in Competency Framework Development in Health Professions: A Systematic Review
Breanna Lepre, Claire Palermo, Kylie J. Mansfield, Eleanor J. Beck
Frontiers in Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

Editorial

What is interesting in the issue 2016 of Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions?: Yera Hur; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2016;13:46. Published online December 28, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2016.13.46

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Research article

Evaluation of a systematic career coaching program for medical students in Korea using the Career Readiness Inventory: Yera Hur, A Ra Cho, Eun Ji Song, Sun Kim; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2018;15:10.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2018.15.10

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to implement a systematic career coaching program for medical students and to evaluate its effectiveness.
Methods
First-year medical students of Konyang University College of Medicine took part in the FLEX Mentoring II: Career Coaching Program from September to December in 2016 and 2017. This program included 16 weekly sessions, comprising a total of 32 hours. The students took the Career Readiness Inventory before and after the program, as a pre- and post-test of the program. Data from 100 students were used (46 students in 2016, 54 students in 2017) for the evaluation.
Results
Medical students’ career readiness pre-test was rated as medium. In particular, many students were at a low level in terms of ‘support from colleagues and peers’ (53.0%), ‘career decision’ (48.0%), and ‘efforts for job preparation’ (60.0%). After 16 sessions of a systematic career coaching program, their career readiness level showed a significant increase except for ‘career decision’ (t= 4.242, P= 0.001) and ‘independence’ (t= 0.731, P= 0.466), a sub-factor of ‘career maturity.’
Conclusion
The career readiness level of medical students was not sufficiently high. However, a semester of educational training in a systematic career coaching program helped the students to be better prepared for their career. In particular, the significant reduction in the ‘career decision’ variable after the program can be interpreted as indicating that the students changed their behavior to explore and approach their career more seriously and carefully, which also underscores the need for the implementation of career coaching programs in medical schools.

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Daan A. H. Fris, Annelies E. M. van Vianen, Edwin A. J. van Hooft, Matthijs de Hoog, Anne P. J. de Pagter
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BMC Medical Education.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
An evaluation of a student-led career profiling project to support the exploration of a career in general practice and other specialties
Hannah Gyekye-Mensah, Arabella Watkins, Joseph Wenden, Imogen Horn, Jemimah Beardwood, Melvyn Jones, Emma Metters
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Analysis on Students’ Career Preparation in One Korean Medical School: Based on the Relationship and Trend Between Career Maturity and Specialty Indecision
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Kanhua Yin, Liu Yang, Rui Zhang, Difan Zheng, Michael S. Wilkes, Yanni Lai
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