Training experts in family medicine teaching. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Švab, Igor; Allen, Justin; Žebiene, Egle; Petek Šter, Marija; Windak, Adam
• Is Part Of: European journal of general practice. Volume 22:Number 1(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Medical education -- basic concepts and models -- philosophy; Family medicine -- Periodicals; 362.172
• DOI: 10.3109/13814788.2015.1118456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1381-4788

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Family medicine teachers require specific educational skills. A framework for their professional development is essential for future development of the discipline in Europe. EURACT developed a framework on educational expertise, and subsequently applied it in a curriculum of teaching-skills courses of various levels. The aim of this article is to describe the development of the teaching framework, and of an international three-level course programme for 'teaching-the-teachers'. Furthermore, we describe our experiences and lessons learned, in particular with regard to the level-three programme for proficient teachers, which was new. We conclude that it is possible to develop a theoretical framework of family medicine teaching expertise and to apply it in an international high-level educational programme for future experts in family medicine education. Research evidence of the usefulness of this approach is needed, and the threats for its further development into a sustainable activity are its high teacher/student ratio associated with relatively high costs and difficulties in recruiting suitable participants.