extended · article · 2021

Changes in character strengths after watching movies: when to use rasch analysis

Sirinut Siritikul; Sirikorn Chalanunt; Chitipat Utrapiromsook; Suchanard Mungara; Tinakon Wongpakaran; Nahathai Wongpakaran; Pimolpun Kuntawong; Danny Wedding; Trevor G. Bond

OBJECTIVE: Professionalism is a critical part of a medical education, and various activities have been proposed to enhance professionalism among medical students. Watching films is an activity to promote character related to professionalism. Limitation of such is a single group pre-posttest design raising concerns about the errors of measurement. The study aimed to demonstrate a method to deal with this design using Rasch analysis. RESULTS: This study used a pre-posttest design with 40 first year medical students. All participated in a 3-day activity that involved watching four selected movies: Twilight, Gandhi, The Shawshank Redemption and Amélie. These films offer compelling illustrations of the themes of self-regulation, humility, prudence and gratitude, respectively. All participants completed a 10-item composite scale (PHuSeG) addressing these themes before and after watching the mo...