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Presentation by Dr. Filipetto and Dr. Seals

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Presentation by Dr. Filipetto and Dr. Seals

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This infographic highlights key learning theories in medical education, showing how each contributes to student growth. Erikson’s theory emphasizes psychosocial development and identity formation, while Pavlov’s classical conditioning explains how associations shape habits and reduce anxiety. Psychomotor skill development (Dave and Simpson) outlines stepwise progression from imitation to mastery. Adult Learning Theory stresses relevance, self-direction, and experience, whereas Gagné’s model provides nine instructional steps for effective teaching. Miller’s Pyramid describes clinical competence from knowledge to real-world performance, and Kolb’s experiential cycle emphasizes learning through experience, reflection, and application. Bandura’s social cognitive theory highlights observational learning, role modeling, and self-efficacy, while Vygotsky’s social constructivism underscores the importance of collaboration, scaffolding, and the zone of proximal development. Together, these frameworks guide educators in designing effective, learner-centered, and practice-oriented medical education.

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Proposed by Malcolm Knowles, Adult Learning Theory emphasizes that adults learn differently than children. Adults bring prior experiences, self-direction, and practical goals to their learning. Key principles include:

1. Need to Know – Adults want to understand why they need to learn something.

2. Self-Concept – Adults see themselves as self-directed, responsible learners.

3. Experience – Prior life and professional experiences form a foundation for new learning.

4. Readiness to Learn – Adults learn best when content is relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

5. Orientation to Learning – Adults prefer problem-centered, real-world applications over abstract theory.

6. Motivation – Adults are driven more by internal factors (professional growth, fulfillment) than external ones.

Practical Application for Medical Educators

Make learning relevant: Tie lessons directly to clinical scenarios and patient care. (e.g., teaching pharmacology through real patient cases).

Leverage learner experience: Invite students or residents to share prior clinical encounters as discussion starters.

Promote self-direction: Encourage goal-setting, independent reading, and reflective journaling.

Use problem-centered teaching: Case-based learning, PBL (Problem-Based Learning), and simulation exercises engage learners better than rote memorization.

Provide clear purpose: Explain why a skill or concept matters for patient safety and professional competence.

Encourage intrinsic motivation: Recognize learner progress, link training to professional identity, and highlight long-term career benefits.

Adult Learning Theory in medicine means teaching with relevance, respect for learner experience, and practical application, moving beyond memorization to real-world problem solving and professional growth.

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Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in medical education are units of professional practice—specific tasks or responsibilities—that learners are expected to perform once they have demonstrated sufficient competence.

Unlike abstract competencies (such as “communication” or “professionalism”), EPAs are observable, measurable activities that reflect the real work of physicians. For example, “gather a history and perform a physical examination,” “prioritize a differential diagnosis,” or “handover care to another provider.”

Key points about EPAs:

Entrustment: Faculty or supervisors make a judgment about whether a learner can be trusted to carry out the activity independently, with indirect supervision, or only with direct oversight.

Integration: Each EPA requires the application of multiple competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) in a holistic way.

Progression: EPAs provide a bridge between competency frameworks (like ACGME or AAMC competencies) and day-to-day clinical tasks, supporting decisions about readiness for practice, advancement, and graduation.

👉 In short: EPAs are the practical “building blocks” of professional work in medicine, helping educators decide what learners can be trusted to do safely and independently at their stage of training.

AAMC Core EPAs for Entering Residency

1. Gather a history and perform a physical examination

2. Prioritize a differential diagnosis following a clinical encounter

3. Recommend and interpret common diagnostic and screening tests

4. Enter and discuss orders and prescriptions

5. Document a clinical encounter in the patient record

6. Provide an oral presentation of a clinical encounter

7. Form clinical questions and retrieve evidence to advance patient care

8. Give or receive a patient handover to transition care responsibility

9. Collaborate as a member of an interprofessional team

10. Recognize a patient requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate evaluation and management

11. Obtain informed consent for tests and/or procedures

12. Perform general procedures of a physician (e.g., venipuncture, IV placement, basic suturing)

13. Identify system failures and contribute to a culture of safety and improvement

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Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development

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Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development

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Erik Erikson proposed that human development occurs in eight stages across the lifespan, each characterized by a central psychosocial conflict. How individuals resolve these conflicts shapes their identity, coping skills, and social functioning. Unlike purely cognitive theories, Erikson emphasized the social and relational context of learning and growth.

Each stage involves:

A core developmental task (e.g., Identity vs. Role Confusion).

Positive resolution → develops a strength (e.g., fidelity, competence, wisdom).

Negative resolution → may create difficulties but can be revisited later in life.

Practical Implications for Medical Educators

Practical Implications for Medical Educators

1. Identity Formation: Provide safe spaces for students to reflect on “Who am I as a physician?” through narrative medicine, portfolios, or advisory programs.

2. Community Building: Foster peer groups, advisory colleges, or wellness initiatives that emphasize belonging and resilience.

3. Mentorship: Recognize that mentoring satisfies both the learner’s need for guidance and the faculty’s developmental drive for generativity.

4. Lifelong Development: Understand that learning needs shift with life stage—students need identity formation, residents need belonging, faculty need opportunities to mentor, and senior clinicians need recognition of their legacy.

5. Holistic View of Learners: Appreciate that students arrive at different psychosocial stages; some may need more guidance in identity formation, others in autonomy or confidence.

In summary: Erikson’s theory reminds medical educators that training is not just about clinical skills—it’s also about supporting students’ development as whole people across psychosocial stages. Aligning teaching, advising, and mentoring with these stages fosters both professional growth and human flourishing.

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David Kolb (1984) proposed that learning is a cyclical process where knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Instead of being passive recipients, learners actively engage in a cycle that helps them apply theory to practice and reflect for deeper understanding.

The cycle has four stages:

1. Concrete Experience (CE): Having a new experience or encountering a new situation.

2. Reflective Observation (RO): Reflecting on that experience from different perspectives.

3. Abstract Conceptualization (AC): Drawing conclusions, forming theories, or integrating new knowledge.

4. Active Experimentation (AE): Applying the new understanding in practice, which leads to further experiences.

Application in Medical Education

1. Concrete Experience (CE)

Example: A student participates in a simulated patient encounter or observes a real clinical case.

Educator Strategy: Provide authentic learning experiences (simulations, clinical rotations, standardized patients).

2. Reflective Observation (RO)

Example: After the encounter, the student reflects on what went well and what was challenging.

Educator Strategy: Use guided reflection, debriefings, or journaling to deepen insight.

3. Abstract Conceptualization (AC)

Example: The student connects their reflections with medical theory (e.g., linking patient symptoms with pathophysiology).

Educator Strategy: Facilitate discussions that connect experiences with evidence-based knowledge.

4. Active Experimentation (AE)

Example: The student applies what they learned in the next patient encounter, trying a new approach to improve communication or diagnostic accuracy.

Educator Strategy: Provide opportunities for practice and reinforce iterative improvement.

Practical Implications for Medical Educators

Design learning activities that move through all four stages of the cycle.

Use simulation-based education to allow repeated cycles of practice, reflection, and application.

Encourage reflective writing and case-based learning to strengthen observation and conceptualization.

Recognize different learning styles (some students prefer doing first, others reflecting first) and provide varied approaches.

In short: Kolb’s model emphasizes that medical students learn best when they experience, reflect, conceptualize, and then apply. The cycle repeats continuously, supporting lifelong learning and clinical growth.

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Albert Bandura (1986) proposed that learning occurs in a social context through the dynamic interaction of three elements:

Personal factors (beliefs, attitudes, self-efficacy)

Behavior (actions and skills)

Environment (social and physical surroundings)

This is known as reciprocal determinism — each factor influences and is influenced by the others.

A core part of SCT is observational learning (modeling): people learn not only by doing, but by watching others and seeing the consequences of their actions. Another key idea is self-efficacy — the belief in one’s own ability to succeed in specific situations.

Key Principles

1. Observational Learning (Modeling): Learners acquire skills and behaviors by observing role models.

2. Reinforcement: Both positive and negative reinforcement influence behavior adoption.

3. Self-Efficacy: Confidence in one’s ability determines motivation, persistence, and success.

4. Reciprocal Determinism: Learning is shaped by the interplay of personal, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Application in Medical Education

Role Modeling: Students learn professionalism, communication, and bedside manner by observing faculty and residents. Example: Watching an attending deliver bad news empathetically teaches not just words, but demeanor.

Simulation and Observation: Learners watch peer demonstrations before practicing procedures like intubation or suturing.

Building Self-Efficacy: Scaffolded learning (progressively harder tasks with feedback) builds student confidence.

Feedback and Reflection: Linking reinforcement (praise, correction) with reflective practice reinforces professional growth.

Learning Environments: Clinical rotations, advisory programs, and team-based learning environments show how social and cultural contexts shape learning.

Practical Takeaway for Educators

Medical educators should:

Be intentional role models, recognizing students are constantly observing them.

Encourage peer learning through group work and collaborative case discussions.

Support self-efficacy by offering progressive challenges with constructive feedback.

Design environments that reinforce professionalism and patient-centered care.

In short: Bandura’s theory reminds us that medical students don’t just learn from books — they learn by watching others, practicing in supportive environments, and believing in their own abilities.

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Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, is best known for his work on classical conditioning, a foundational concept in behavioral psychology. His research showed that behaviors could be learned through associations. In his famous experiment, dogs began to salivate not only when presented with food but also when they heard a bell that had repeatedly been paired with feeding. The key idea is that a previously neutral stimulus, when consistently paired with a meaningful stimulus, can elicit a conditioned response. This principle underscores how habits, emotional responses, and certain behaviors can be shaped by consistent environmental cues.

Practical Application for Medical Educators

Medical educators can apply Pavlov’s theory by intentionally creating positive associations in the learning environment. For example:

Clinical Skills Training: Pairing repeated exposure to standardized patients or simulation labs with supportive feedback can reduce anxiety and condition learners to approach patient encounters with confidence rather than fear.

Professional Behaviors: Linking professional rituals (e.g., putting on a white coat, beginning rounds, presenting cases) with encouragement and recognition helps students internalize professional identity and expectations.

Learning Habits: Consistently associating study strategies, reflection exercises, or group learning with positive reinforcement (praise, mentorship, acknowledgment of effort) helps students develop productive academic habits.

In short, Pavlov’s work reminds medical educators that the environment and repeated associations strongly influence behavior. By structuring learning so that professional actions are paired with positive reinforcement and constructive feedback, educators can shape not only knowledge but also professional attitudes and identity.

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Robert Gagné (1916–2002) proposed that learning occurs through a structured sequence of instructional events. His Nine Events of Instruction provide a framework for designing effective teaching, ensuring that learners receive the right support at the right time.

Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction (with Medical Education Examples)

1. Gain Attention

Capture learner interest and focus.

Medical Example: Begin a lecture with a striking patient case, an image, or a short clinical vignette.

2. Inform Learners of Objectives

State what learners will achieve.

Medical Example: “By the end of this session, you will be able to perform a focused cardiovascular exam.”

3. Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning

Connect new knowledge to existing knowledge.

Medical Example: Ask students to recall relevant anatomy before teaching a new surgical technique.

4. Present the Content

Deliver the new material in a clear, organized way.

Medical Example: Demonstrate a procedure step-by-step or use a case-based discussion.

5. Provide Learning Guidance

Offer cues, examples, and frameworks.

Medical Example: Share mnemonics, checklists, or decision-making algorithms.

6. Elicit Performance (Practice)

Have learners apply what they’ve learned.

Medical Example: Students practice a physical exam on standardized patients.

7. Provide Feedback

Give immediate, constructive feedback on performance.

Medical Example: During a skills lab, faculty correct hand positioning during suturing.

8. Assess Performance

Test knowledge or skills to confirm learning.

Medical Example: OSCE stations to assess clinical skills; multiple-choice questions for knowledge.

9. Enhance Retention and Transfer

Reinforce learning and help apply it in different contexts.

Medical Example: Assign clinical rotations, reflective essays, or simulation exercises to apply knowledge in varied scenarios.

Practical Application for Medical Educators

Use Gagné’s model to structure lectures, workshops, and clinical teaching sessions.

Ensure that practice and feedback are built into skills training (not just content delivery).

Incorporate real cases, simulations, and reflection to enhance transfer of learning to clinical practice.

Apply the nine events flexibly across both didactic (classroom) and experiential (clinical) education.

Robert Gagné (1916–2002) proposed that learning occurs through a structured sequence of instructional events. His Nine Events of Instruction provide a framework for designing effective teaching, ensuring that learners receive the right support at the right time.

Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction (with Medical Education Examples)

1. Gain Attention

Capture learner interest and focus.

Medical Example: Begin a lecture with a striking patient case, an image, or a short clinical vignette.

2. Inform Learners of Objectives

State what learners will achieve.

Medical Example: “By the end of this session, you will be able to perform a focused cardiovascular exam.”

3. Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning

Connect new knowledge to existing knowledge.

Medical Example: Ask students to recall relevant anatomy before teaching a new surgical technique.

4. Present the Content

Deliver the new material in a clear, organized way.

Medical Example: Demonstrate a procedure step-by-step or use a case-based discussion.

5. Provide Learning Guidance

Offer cues, examples, and frameworks.

Medical Example: Share mnemonics, checklists, or decision-making algorithms.

6. Elicit Performance (Practice)

Have learners apply what they’ve learned.

Medical Example: Students practice a physical exam on standardized patients.

7. Provide Feedback

Give immediate, constructive feedback on performance.

Medical Example: During a skills lab, faculty correct hand positioning during suturing.

8. Assess Performance

Test knowledge or skills to confirm learning.

Medical Example: OSCE stations to assess clinical skills; multiple-choice questions for knowledge.

9. Enhance Retention and Transfer

Reinforce learning and help apply it in different contexts.

Medical Example: Assign clinical rotations, reflective essays, or simulation exercises to apply knowledge in varied scenarios.

Practical Application for Medical Educators

Use Gagné’s model to structure lectures, workshops, and clinical teaching sessions.

Ensure that practice and feedback are built into skills training (not just content delivery).

Incorporate real cases, simulations, and reflection to enhance transfer of learning to clinical practice.

Apply the nine events flexibly across both didactic (classroom) and experiential (clinical) education.

Gagné’s theory gives medical educators a step-by-step roadmap to guide learners from attention and motivation → through instruction and practice → toward mastery and transfer into clinical care.

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Miller’s Pyramid of Learning in Medicine

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Miller’s Pyramid of Learning in Medicine

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George E. Miller proposed a framework to assess clinical competence in medical education. His model is structured as a pyramid with four levels, moving from knowledge acquisition to professional action in real settings.

The Four Levels of Miller’s Pyramid

1. Knows (Knowledge)

Definition: Basic recall of facts and information.

Example: A student knows the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

Assessment Tools: Written exams, multiple-choice tests.

2. Knows How (Application of Knowledge)

Definition: Applying knowledge to solve problems or explain processes.

Example: A student can explain how to interpret HbA1c results in a patient case.

Assessment Tools: Case-based discussions, essays, oral exams.

3. Shows How (Demonstration of Skills)

Definition: Demonstrating ability to perform a skill in a simulated or controlled environment.

Example: A student demonstrates a physical exam on a standardized patient.

Assessment Tools: OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), simulations.

4. Does (Performance in Practice)

Definition: Performing skills consistently and effectively in real-world clinical practice.

Example: A resident independently manages a patient with new-onset diabetes in the clinic.

Assessment Tools: Direct observation, workplace-based assessment (mini-CEX, 360° feedback).

Practical Application for Medical Educators

Curriculum Design: Align teaching and assessment strategies to different levels of the pyramid. Start with knowledge-based assessments, then progress to clinical performance.

Assessment Strategy: Use a variety of tools (MCQs, OSCEs, workplace observation) to evaluate competence across levels.

Professional Identity Formation: Recognize that the top level (“Does”) reflects not just skills but integration of knowledge, attitudes, and professionalism in authentic contexts.

Feedback Integration: Ensure learners receive timely feedback at each stage to move up the pyramid.

In short: Miller’s Pyramid helps medical educators evaluate whether learners are moving from simply “knowing” medicine to “doing” medicine competently in real-world clinical practice.

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Lev Vygotsky emphasized that learning is a socially mediated process. He believed that individuals construct knowledge through interaction with others and the cultural context around them. Unlike theories that focus on independent learning, Vygotsky’s model highlights the importance of language, dialogue, and collaboration in shaping understanding.

Two central ideas stand out:

1. Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD):

The gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.

Learning occurs best when challenges fall within this zone, supported by mentors, peers, or tools.

2. Scaffolding:

Temporary support provided by teachers, peers, or structured resources to help learners achieve tasks they couldn’t yet do alone.

Support is gradually removed as learners gain mastery.

Application in Medical Education

1. Collaborative Learning

Example: Small-group case discussions, team-based learning, or problem-based learning sessions where students co-construct knowledge.

Educator Role: Facilitate dialogue, encourage questioning, and highlight multiple perspectives.

2. Zone of Proximal Development

Example: A student can perform a physical exam with faculty guidance but not independently at first. Over time, supervision is reduced as competence grows.

Educator Role: Design tasks that stretch learners just beyond their comfort zone, providing appropriate support.

3. Scaffolding Clinical Skills

Example: Teaching central line placement: first by demonstration, then guiding hand-over-hand, then allowing the student to perform under observation, and finally independently.

Educator Role: Gradually reduce support as competence develops, always keeping safety in mind.

4. Language and Professional Identity

Example: Students learn medical terminology, patient communication styles, and professional discourse through interaction with mentors and peers.

Educator Role: Encourage use of precise medical language and reflective dialogue.

Practical Takeaways for Educators

Create social learning environments where students learn from peers, mentors, and patients.

Use progressive scaffolding to guide learners through increasing levels of complexity.

Recognize that learning is not just individual — it’s cultural and relational, embedded in the medical community of practice.

Foster reflective dialogue to support the co-construction of knowledge and professional identity.

In short: Vygotsky’s social constructivism reminds us that medical learning is a shared, social journey. Students build competence through guided experiences, collaboration, and cultural immersion in the medical profession.