Train the trainers!

Abstract

With the introduction of training programmes and logbooks for basic postgraduate training and subspecialty training, the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has given impulses to harmonise training in obstetrics and gynecology in the European Union. Current changes in the practice of medicine, among which the European Working Time Directive, numbers of surgical procedures decreasing, more demanding patients and a change in work ethos, challenge both trainers and trainees to optimise postgraduate training. For training to be effective and efficient, it is necessary to clearly define learning goals and outcomes and to create a stimulating educational environment. This requires trainers who (a) have knowledge of adult learning and educational theory and (b) will act as facilitators of the learning process of postgraduate trainees. Most of the doctors involved in postgraduate training have not had any formal formation to be a trainer. Teacher professionalisation offers the medical professional a framework to increase efficiency as a trainer. In this article, an introduction to educational practice for the medical professional is given. Several aspects of adult learning, such as the learning cycle, appraisal and assessment, and giving feedback, are discussed.

The positive impact of structured teaching in the operating room

“…concluded that, ‘surgical teams would welcome a structured tool to facilitate debriefing at the end of every case’. However, it is not unusual to find discordance between faculty and trainees with reported perceptions on the quality of feedback . In a focus group study interviewing trainees and faculty, van der Houwen et al .…”

A short course for surgical supervisors and trainers: effecting behavioural change

“…In order to better adapt to this new training culture and framework, surgical supervisors themselves need to up‐skill in areas of trainee management and assessment. There have been many ‘train the trainer’ courses in medicine implemented in Australia and abroad 14–16 . It is felt that in order to correctly perform in‐training assessment of competence in trainee surgeons, surgical trainers themselves need to achieve competence through attending courses designed for this purpose.…”

“…There have been many 'train the trainer' courses in medicine implemented in Australia and abroad. [14][15][16] It is felt that in order to correctly perform in-training assessment of competence in trainee surgeons, surgical trainers themselves need to achieve competence through attending courses designed for this purpose. In a commentary by Wiess in Family Medicine, 2004 the point was made that many medical educators don't know how to distinguish between a good trainee and an average one and that they themselves may not be competent enough to reliably deem a trainee competent without structured reference tools.…”