Tips for clinician-educators – give them their money’s worth

Medical students pay exorbitant amounts for their schooling in the US.  They deserve the highest quality teaching.  They deserve well trained clinical teachers. Many years ago I began asking the students if they received their money’s worth on rounds or in conferences.  This question does two things.  First, the students know that I am trying to provide a return on their investment.  Perhaps more important, the question reminds me that I owe them my best teaching.  They do not owe me anything, they have already paid dearly. How do we convince medical educators that we owe all learners our best every day?  If you believe this, then you then must learn to be a better educator. Being a good physician does not make one a good educator.  We need to cultivate our clinician educators.  Given the tuition that schools receive, should they not invest in the medical education  process? If you teach medical students, ask yourself – are you giving them your money’s worth?  Ask yourself if you can do a better job.  Make this a priority.  They deserve our best.
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Rants Source Type: blogs