Contemporary Challenges in Medical Education ― From Theory to Practice

While medical schools usually emphasize the teaching of advanced scientific fundamentals through a carefully planned, formal curriculum, few focus on the equally crucial “hidden curriculum” of professional attitudes, skills, and behaviors. This concise and practical guide helps teachers effectively prepare students for seldom-taught issues that arise daily in the practice of clinical medicine. In this volume, experienced clinician-educators offer real-world examples of various pedagogical and clinical scenarios, providing evidence- and theory-based approaches to managing them. They discuss topics including courage, humility, and empathy in medicine; failure and burnout; graceful self-promotion; positive role modeling; work ethics and attitudes; bedside manner; ethical and legal challenges in the era of electronic health records; and controversial subjects—such as gun ownership and abortion—and how to address them. Chapters also recommend ways to promote a culture of wellbeing in the learning environment, including strategies for dealing with microaggressions on female and minority students and faculty. This volume is a valuable resource for frontline educators who wish to help learners navigate the transition from layperson to medical professional.