Table 2.
Rotated Factor Matrix of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning
| Items | Factors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1. | Rapid changes in medical science require constant updating of knowledge and development of new professional skills | 0.76 | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| 2. | I recognize my need to constantly acquire new professional knowledge | 0.71 | 0.15 | 0.21 | 0.13 |
| 3. | Lifelong learning is a professional responsibility of all physicians | 0.69 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.00 |
| 4. | I believe that I would fall behind if I stopped learning about new developments in my profession | 0.69 | 0.18 | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| 5. | One important mission of undergraduate medical education is to develop the habit of lifelong learning | 0.66 | 0.24 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 6. | I enjoy reading articles in which issues of my professional interest are discussed | 0.66 | 0.02 | 0.23 | 0.10 |
| 7. | I always make time for self-directed learning, even when I have a busy practice schedule and other professional and family obligations | 0.58 | 0.10 | 0.28 | 0.06 |
| 8. | Searching for an answer to a question is, in and by itself rewarding | 0.53 | −0.03 | −0.08 | 0.32 |
| 9. | I review professional journals every week | 0.46 | 0.17 | 0.31 | 0.15 |
| 10. | I actively conduct research as a principal investigator or a co-investigator | 0.13 | 0.86 | 0.10 | 0.20 |
| 11. | I give on average at least one presentation at professional meetings in every given year | 0.17 | 0.85 | 0.16 | 0.10 |
| 12. | I frequently publish articles in peer-reviewed journals | 0.15 | 0.84 | 0.20 | 0.09 |
| 13. | I routinely exchange e-mail messages with my colleagues | 0.10 | 0.60 | 0.31 | 0.39 |
| 14. | I routinely attend grand rounds offered in my field regardless of whether a certificate for attendance is offered | 0.08 | 0.14 | 0.79 | 0.15 |
| 15. | I routinely attend annual meetings of professional medical organization | 0.19 | 0.40 | 0.59 | 0.02 |
| 16. | I attend professional development programs regardless of whether CME credit is offered | 0.24 | 0.46 | 0.56 | −0.05 |
| 17. | I take any opportunity to gain new knowledge/skills that are important to my profession | 0.44 | 0.08 | 0.54 | 0.28 |
| 18. | My preferred approach in finding an answer to a question is to search the appropriate computer databases | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| 19. | I search computer databases (e.g., MEDLINE) to find out about new developments in my field | 0.20 | 0.26 | 0.14 | 0.80 |
| Eigenvalue | 6.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | |
| % Variance | 36 | 12 | 7 | 5 | |
Items are listed by the order of magnitude of the factor coefficients within each factor. Values greater than 0.45 are in bold. Items were answered on a 4-point Likert-type scale (1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree)
Factor 1: A construct involving “Professional learning beliefs and motivation.”
Factor 2: A construct involving “Scholarly activities.”
Factor 3: A construct involving “Attention to learning opportunities.”
Factor 4: A construct involving “Technical skills in information seeking.”