This document from a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital discusses qualities of excellent clinical teachers and the application of adult learning theories. It identifies that residents spend 25% of their time teaching but often do not feel prepared. Key qualities of excellent teachers include being knowledgeable, enthusiastic, using questions effectively, creating a safe learning environment, giving learners responsibility, role modeling professionalism, showing genuine concern for learners, and providing meaningful feedback. Adult learners need to understand why they are learning, connect new knowledge to past experiences, actively engage in learning, approach learning as problem solving, and see immediate relevance and value.

1. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Introduction:
Qualities of Excellent
Clinical Teachers and
Application of Adult Learning
Theories

2. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Resident-as-Teacher
• Residents spend 25% of time teaching
• Medical students view residents as
extremely important to their clinical
education
• Many residents do not feel prepared
to teach

3. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
What qualities have stood out in
exceptional teachers you have
known?

4. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Qualities of Excellent Clinical Teachers
• Knowledgeable
• Enthusiastic
• Use questions effectively
• Create safe learning environment
• Give learners responsibility (autonomy)
• Role model professionalism
• Have genuine concern for learner
• Provide meaningful feedback

5. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Qualities of Excellent Teaching Attendings
• Preparation
– Know residents (needs assessment)
– Know cases ahead of time (typical vs difficult, educationally
interesting)
• Preplanned curriculum mixed with improvisation
– Read literature in advance
– Prepared materials, mental planning
• Assess residents knowledge while diagnosing
patient’s problem
– Interactive, use of questions
• Limited teaching points Irby, Academic Medicine, 1992

6. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Irby, Academic Medicine, 1992

7. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Adult Learners Need To:
• Know why they are learning something
• Connect new knowledge to past
experience or prior knowledge
• Actively engage in learning
• Approach learning as problem solving
• See immediate relevance and value
Knowles M, The Adult Learner, 2005

8. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Thought Question
• Think of a time, perhaps outside of
medicine, when you learned a new
skill. Describe how the principles of
adult learning applied as you mastered
this skill.

9. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Thought Question
• Describe a clinical teacher who had
a positive impact on your learning.
What did he or she do to create a
safe learning environment and
make the experience meaningful for
you?

10. A teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School
Thought Questions
• What unique roles do residents
play in the medical education of
their peers and students?
• Which of these roles are you
particularly well-suited for or
excited about, and which ones are
you more hesitant to try?