Current contributions and academic involvement

• • Associate professor and academic head:Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS
  • Supervisor of student research on the Masters of Medical Education for Healthcare Professionals, iheed, University of Warwick, UK.
  • Mentor for nGAP lecturer in Faculty of Health Sciences (Mr Z Arends) (2022 – 2026).
  • Postgraduate administration, curriculum design, teaching, assessment in the HPE programme, Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences as module leader in the HPEM 5805, HPEM 7905, HPER 5805 and HPER 7905 modules.
  • Undergraduate teaching, MBChB programme:MDOC 1513 module (The Doctor and the Environment):Communication Skills and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
  • Supervision of MSSM (undergraduate research module) research groups:2013, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
  • Postgraduate teaching in the Department of Family Medicine MMed programme (Communication skills)
  • Presentations for Division Health Professions Education, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State (Faculty Development)
  • Supervisor for postgraduate students in HPE programme, Division Health Professions Education, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State (Master`s and PhD candidates)
  • Examiner for HPE programme, Division Health Professions Education, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State (Master`s and PhD candidates) and Stellenbosch University M Phil (Health Professions Education) programme
  • Member of evaluation committees for postgraduate research proposals, Division Health Professions Education, Department of Dietetics, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS
  • Presentations for Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of the Free State
  • Assessor:UFS Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence in Learning and Teaching awards (2018 – present)
  • Member of judging panel, Faculty of Health Sciences Three-Minute Thesis Competitions (2021 – 2023).
  • Presentations for Ethics Interest Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
  • Assessor:SAAHE Distinguished Educator Award (member of panel; 2016 – 2022)
  • Member of SAAHE Special Interest Groups:Assessment and Research and founding member of committee for newly established Special Interest Group:Faculty Development
  • Member of HPCSA accreditation panel for undergraduate (MBChB programmes) during 2019 (University of the Witwatersrand) and 2018 (Walter Sisulu University)
  • Member of external review panel for UCT Department of Health Sciences Education (2024)
  • Reviewer:American Journal of Health Promotion (2018 – current);BMC Psychology, BMC Psychiatry, BMC Medical Education (2022 – current);Advances in Health Sciences Education (2022 – current); Journal of Disaster Risk Studies Review (2021); Medical Education Online (2024 – current); Medical Teacher (2023 – current); African Journal of Health Professions Education (2023 – current); Journal of Interprofessional Care (2023 – current); International Journal of Educational Research (2023 – current); Journal of Student Affairs in Africa (2023 – current); South African Family Practice (2023 – current).
  • Committee member Faculty of Health Sciences:Selection committee HPE programmes, MBChB Programme and Quality Assurance Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences Education and Quality Assurance Committee, Three Schools of Medicine Research Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences

  Continuing Professional Development Committee (chairperson since 2022)

   

Publications (2019 to 2023)

1. Maasdorp SD, Paruk F, De Vasconcellos K, Grion C, Joubert I, Joynt GM, Kalafatis N, Lapinsky SE, Lipman J, Malbrain MLNG, Mrara B, Richards GA, Spruyt MGL, Van der Merwe E, Vincent JL, Van der Merwe LJ. 2023. Core competencies in critical care for general medical practitioners in South Africa:A Delphi study. SAJCC 39(3) 67-74.
2. Vorster-de Wet PC, Van der Merwe LJ, Nel R, Nel L. Instrument development to measure student self-efficacy in the teaching and learning environment:Measurement of student self-efficacy. South Africah Journal of Higher Education (accepted for publication 14 November 2023).
3. Van der Merwe LJ, Van Zyl S, Joubert G. 2023. “But this is the new reality, and I will adapt”: understanding lecturers’ experiences of COVID-19 lockdwon online learning and teaching” Medical Science Educator (Accepted for publication 20 October 2023).
4. Van der Merwe LJ, Motlapema N, Matsepe T, Nchepe K, Ramachela P, Rangolo T, Kutu Z, Joubert G, Van Rooyen C. 2023. Medical registrars at the University of the Free State: Burnout, resilience and coping strategies. South African Family Practice ISSN:2078-6190 (PRINT)ISSN: 2078-6204 (ONLINE) (Accepted for publication 21 September 2023)
5. Fichardt AE, Janse van Vuuren CE, Van der Merwe LJ. 2023. Psychological wellbeing, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amidst Covid-19. Health SA Gesondheid ISSN: 1025-9848, E-ISSN: 2071-9736 (Accepted for publication 21 September 2023) Journal: Health SA Gesondheid
6. Tlalajoe-Mokhatla N, Van der Merwe LJ, Jama MP. Social learning and integration factors affecting first0year medical students:views of remedial programme students who failed their first year. Journal of Student Affairs in Africa 2023:11(1), 65 – 76. DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v11i1.4271
7. Chipamaunga S, Nyoni CN, Kagawa MN, Wessels Q, Kafumukache E, Gwini R, Kandawasvika G, Katowa-Mukwato P, Masanganise R, Nyamakura R, Nyawata I, Pretorius L, Dithole K , Marimo C , Mubuuke AG, Mbalinda SN, Van der Merwe LJ, Prozesky D. 2023. Response to the impact of COVID-19 by health professions education institutions in Africa: a case study on preparedness for remote learning and teaching. Smart Learning Environments 10:31 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00249-7.
8. Joubert G, Steinberg WJ, Van der Merwe LJ. 2022. Medical students as research participants: student experiences, questionnaire response rates and preferred modes. African Journal of Health Professions Education 14:3):106-110 https://doi.org/10.7196/AJHPE2022vl4i3.1588
9. Van der Merwe LJ, Nel G, Williams C, et al. The knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding family history of hereditary diseases amongst undergraduate students at the University of the Free State. S Afr Fam Pract. 2022;64(1), a5392. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp. v64i1.5392
10. Kagawa M.N., Chipamaunga-Bamu S., Prozesky D., Kafumukache El, Gwindini Rl, Kandawasvika G., Katowa-Mukwato P., Masanganise R, Pretorius L., Wessels Q., Dithole K., Marimo C., Mubuuke A.G., Mbalinda S.N., Van der Merwe L., Nyoni C.N. 2021. Assessment of Preparedness for Remote Teaching and Learning to Transform Health Professions Education in Sub-Saharan Africa in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study with a Case Study Approach. JMIR Research Protocol Jul; 10(7): e28905 doi: 10.2196/28905.
11. Van der Merwe L.J., Botha A., Joubert G. Resilience and coping strategies of undergraduate medical students at the University of the Free State. S Afr J Psychiatry 2020;26(0), a1471. https://doi.org/10.4102/ sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1471
12. Van der Merwe L.J., Botha A., Joubert G. Burnout and associated factors in undergraduate medical students at a South African University. AJHPE 2020;112(2)2-7 doi.org/107196/AJHPE.2020v12i2.1172
13. Brits, H., Joubert, G., Bezuidenhout, J. & Van der Merwe, L.J. Evaluation of assessment marks in the clinical years of an undergraduate medical training programme: Where are we and how can we improve? AJHPE 2020; 12:1 (2078-5127 ONLINE)
14. Brits H, Bezuidenhout J, Van der Merwe L..J. Quality assessment in undergraduate medical training:how to bridge the gap between what we do and what we should do. Pan African Medical Journal. 2020: 36(79) 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.79.23658
15. Brits H., Bezuidenhout J., Van der Merwe L.J., Joubert G. Students` voices: assessment in undergraduate clinical medicine. Pan African Medical Journal. 2020: 36(130). 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.130.22168
16. Brits H., Bezuidenhout J., Van der Merwe L.J., Joubert G. Assessment practices in undergraduate clinical medicine training: What do we do and how can we improve?. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2020;12(1), a2341. https://doi.org/10.4102/ phcfm.v12i1.2341
17. Brits H., Bezuidenhout J., Van der Merwe L.J. A framework to benchmark the quality of clinical assessment in a South African undergraduate medical programme. S Afr Fam Pract. 2020;62(1), a5030. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v62i1.5030
18. Du Preez M., Van der Merwe L.J., Swart S.B. 2019. Employability skills: what is required of consumer sciences graduates? Journal of Consumer Sciences, Vol 47 ISSN 0378-5254.Available from:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jfecs/article/view/191601/180757
19. Botha A., Van der Merwe L.J. 2019. "I am still here!" Undergraduate medical students` perceptions of resilience. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 29:6, 589-597, DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1689463.
20. Vorster, A., Gerber, A.M., Van der Merwe, L.J., Van Zyl, S., Second- and third-year medical students’ self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school 2019, Health SA Gesondheid 24(0), a1041. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/hsag.v24i0.1041
21. Joubert G., Steinberg W.J., Van der Merwe L.J. 2019. The selection and inclusion of students as research participants in undergraduate medical student projects at the School of Medicine, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 2002 - 2017: An ethical perspective AJHPE 11(2): 57-62. DOI:10.7196/AJHPE.2019.v11i2.1081

Health sciences education

Resilience, burnout and coping, wellbeing

Professional identity formation

Professor Lynette van der Merwe is a medical practitioner specialized in Health Professions Education and leads the Division Health Sciences Education at the University of the Free State in South Africa. She is involved in Health Professions Education research, postgraduate training and supervision and faculty development. Her research interest is the holistic development of current and future healthcare professionals

1990:  MB.Ch.B.  [Baccalaureus in Medicine and Surgery], University of the Orange Free State (UOFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa.

1993:  M Med Sc (Chir) [Magister in Medical Science: Surgery], UOFS, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Title:  The use of Holter ECG monitoring as a means of assessing perioperative myocardial ischaemia in patients undergoing non-cardiac aortic surgery.

2012:  PhD (HPE) [Doctorate in Health Professions Education], University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Title:  An educational approach for the generation profile of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State.

Diplomas and Certificates

1993:  DA (SA) [Diploma in Anaesthesiology, College of Medicine of South Africa]

1994:  Advanced Trauma Life Support Certificate

1997, 2002:  Advanced Paediatric Life Support Certificate

1998, 2000, 2002:  Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate

2013:  Essential Skills in Medical Education Certificate (AMEE)

Programmes and courses

2008:  SPALHE (Credit-bearing Short Learning Programme of Assessment of Learning in Higher Education Course, University of the Free State, NQF Level 7) [cum laude]

2010:  FACILITATION OF LEARNING IN PRACTICE (HOS518 module presented by the Planning Unit and the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development [CHESD] Programme for Higher Education Studies and Development, University of the Free State, NQF Level 7, 16 Credits) [cum laude]

2013:  ESSENTIAL SKILLS IN MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSE (Presented by AMEE:  An International Association for Medical Education, 16-19 January 2013, Singapore)

2016:  ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME (Presented by Centre for Teaching and Learning, UFS)

2018:  HUMAN SYSTEMS DYNAMICS certification course (Presented by Human Systems Dynamics Institute, 26 – 28 March 2018, Cape Town, South Africa)

2020: Short Course in Mediation (CCAM1500S presented by Public Law, Faculty of Law, UFS)

2021:  Directing Remote Teams short learning programme (DRMT1500S presented by Business School, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, UFS) [cum laude]

2022:  Coaching for Managers short learning programme (COFM3600S presented by Business School, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, UFS)  [cum laude]

HPEM 5805:      Basic principles of management in health professions education and health care institutions

HPEM 7905:     Management in health professions education and health care institutions

HPER 5805:      Introduction to basic research in health professions

HPER 7905:      Introduction to research in health professions

MDOC 1513:  Communication skills and the doctor patient relationship (first year MBChB students)