Contemporary Challenges in Medical Education

“Superb. A valuable reference tool for a wide range of topics that every medical educator should know about. A must-read for all medical school administrators, especially in areas of curriculum, student affairs, faculty affairs, ethics, and professionalism.”—Roberta E. Sonnino, former professor, Wayne State University School of Medicine

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 Contemporary Challenges in Medical Education: From Theory to Practice, 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.

Zareen Zaidi is associate professor of medicine at the University of Florida. She is associate chief for faculty development in the Division of General Internal Medicine, director of longitudinal portfolios for the College of Medicine, and director of scholarship for the Department of Medicine. Eric I. Rosenberg is professor of medicine at the University of Florida and chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine. He also serves as associate chief medical officer for UF Health Shands Hospitals. Rebecca J. Beyth is professor of medicine at the University of Florida and physician at UF Health Internal Medicine.