Autoethnography: introducing ‘I’ into medical education research

Abstract

Researchers should consider autoethnography as an important methodology to help advance our understanding of the culture and practices of medical education.

When I say … autoethnography

“…2 Just as uncomfortable is the notion of vulnerability. 3 Personally, before using autoethnography as a methodology, I needed to decide whether or not I was really willing to share with others my thoughts, perspectives and emotions, especially as they pertained to my teaching methods and my interactions with learners.…”

“…4 I settled on an analytical autoethnography for my research, a genre that attempts to develop and refine generalised theoretical understandings of various aspects of the medical education culture. 2 Researchers may also consider a more evocative study, layering their own experiences as a learner or patient with findings as they trial a new approach to teaching 3 . Because of this variation in genres, a road map is required.…”

“…They may then be motivated to reflect on how the findings fit within their own teaching or learning environments. 2 When considering vulnerability, appropriate thought must also be given to those represented in any narratives included in an autoethnography. This is especially important when learners or patients are included, as they are often in a 'power over' relationship and may be captive participants in a study.…”

“…This is especially important when learners or patients are included, as they are often in a 'power over' relationship and may be captive participants in a study. 2 Ethical considerations must be made in terms of confidentiality and consent for what can be included in dissemination of scholarly works, as failure to consider the ethical standards of others in self-narratives is another of the major pitfalls of autoethnography. 2 With appropriate consideration of the above issues, autoethnography provides a methodology that allows the researcher to pursue the ultimate goal of cultural understanding via autobiography.…”

“…Deeper insights can be gained using this methodology in various medical cultures, resulting in important contributions to medical education literature. 2 What's more, this journey is open to anyone willing to explore the relationship between self and others in a systematic manner, to analyse and interpret data with the goal of uncovering sociocultural meaning, and to situate the conclusions in the existing literature. 1 …”