As the healthcare field adapts more technology, the educational landscape surrounding gastroenterology is rapidly changing, according to an article in Gastroenterology.
Here are four takeaways.
1. The largest trend in the medical education field is a transition towards individualized learning. The need for customized data for specific practices is in high demand among physicians.
By taking steps to personalize learning, individual learning needs can be met on a clinic-by-clinic basis. For gastroenterologists, individualized learning means having access to durable technology with a workable database of relevant information. Queen's University has implemented a portfolio type system, where its students collect relevant information that is then organized into the major competencies of running a medical practice.
2. Workplace-based learning has been a key in the field for years, and Gastroenterology doesn't see that changing. But in this case, the large group teaching method of the past has been replaced with more individualized practices to allow for better mastery.
If a young physician is struggling with a certain topic, instead of mastering it in later stages of their career, they can go back and perform the procedure they're studying with until they have perfected it.
3. For gastroenterology, simulation is a key focus in education. It allows for "exposure to a new technique or perfecting one's abilities without the anxiety produced by an actual patient interaction."
Simulation has been shown to improve endoscopic performance for both young and old physicians.
4. The last two trends Gastroenterology identified are geared towards millennial learners. They are based on team-based learning and gamification.
Team-based learning puts the burden of learning on physicians out of the practice, to show off their expertise in practice. By having physicians consult with each other through team-based activities, the physicians create a wealth of knowledge they can count on if needed.
Gamifying medicine uses milestones or "achievement points" to encourage learning. For example, if young physicians were to qualify for a large trivia-like competition, where hundreds would work together to answer as many questions as possible to qualify for a larger event. Physicians are mastering their field, while doing something enjoyable as well.
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