Prior to developing faculty development programmes to improve reflection-in-action abilities while teaching, we sought to elaborate how T2 (teaching & thinking)-in-action is perceived by teachers using the theoretical framework of metacognition. We interviewed seven highly rated clinical teachers. Qualitative analysis techniques were used to…

The one-minute preceptor (OMP) was originally developed in the ambulatory care setting as a time-efficient teaching technique for learner-centered clinical training. There are also possible advantages of using the OMP in the gross anatomy laboratory. However, in a previous study it was found that providing training to experienced gross anatomy…

Clinical supervision requires that supervisors make decisions about how much independence to allow their trainees for patient care tasks. The simultaneous goals of ensuring quality patient care and affording trainees appropriate and progressively greater responsibility require that the supervising physician trusts the trainee. Trust allows the…

Drawing on principles of reflective thinking and experiential learning, four recommendations are made for improving ambulatory care education for both medical students and residents: (1) plan for experiences in carefully selected ambulatory care settings; (2) facilitate reflective observation; (3) encourage conceptual thinking and inquiry; and (4)…

The design, development, and implementation of procedures for peer review of teaching are described. Colleague observations and judgments are used to augment student/resident ratings of teaching for purposes of instructional improvement and academic promotions. Three different departmental review committee structures and procedures are reviewed.…

Medical educators debate which models of scientific research should be applied to problems in academic medicine. The reigning model was derived from the first scientific revolution of Newtonian physics. The emerging model is grounded in the second scientific revolution of Einstein's quantum physics. (Author/MSE)

Specific issues addressed included student ability to identify differences in faculty teaching effectiveness, the consistency of student ratings obtained immediately following each lecture with those obtained at the conclusion of the course, and the relationship between individual faculty ratings and overall ratings of a psychopathology course.…

A comprehensive program to evaluate and improve a medical school's instruction is described. The system integrates quantitative measures of teaching, descriptive documentation, and qualitative judgments on the full spectrum of medical instruction. Results of two studies showing instructional improvement and academic promotions as a result of the…

A study documented the practices of 14 peer-nominated medical educators who conduct faculty development programs in ambulatory care settings. Results indicate the programs were delivered almost exclusively in workshop format, with great similarities in topics and strategies. Evaluation was generally limited to satisfaction ratings. Makes…

Characteristics of best and worst clinical teachers in medicine are described by a random sample of medical school faculty, residents, and third- and fourth-year students at the University of Washington. "Best" characteristics include enthusiasm, clear organization, and skills in interacting with students and residents. (Author/LBH)

Describes a survey of 20 distinguished clinical medical teachers concerning episodes of instructional failure that subsequently led to improvement in teaching. Identifies eight common failure types associated with each phase of teaching (planning, teaching, reflection) and respondents' suggestions for improvement for each. Notes that the…

A University of Washington medical faculty survey identified 43 psychomotor skills deemed essential for physicians by over 60 percent of respondents. A committee of clerkship directors refined the list to 28 skills that should be required for graduation. The data are used to specify educational objectives and design tests. (Author/MSE)

Outlines 13 priority research topics and 51 important research questions concerning medical education in ambulatory care settings, as defined by a distinguished group of medical educators, clinicians, and policymakers. Issues of theory binding, research priorities, and research design are discussed, and policy recommendations made for the…

Medical school faculty cite the fear of litigation as a reason for their reluctance to offer candid evaluations of students' and residents' performances and to dismiss them when necessary. Three legal issues are addressed: fair and equitable treatment, due process, libelous and defamatory performance evaluations, etc. (Author/MLW)

A 1988 survey of 122 senior medical students and 60 residents at the University of Washington indicated the most important characteristics of ambulatory care teachers were active involvement of learners, promotion of learner autonomy, and demonstration of patient care skills. Environmental factors were not influential. (Author/MSE)