Using social media to enhance health professional education

Using the cloud to enhance clinical teaching

“…Previous literature supports the use of the cloud for preclinical years of medical school education; however, once learners enter clinical rotations, they are dispersed to different clinical settings, which can hinder the coordination of teaching. As discussed in a previous toolbox article, social media is one approach to address these barriers, as it allows educators to disseminate new teaching strategies and to connect with other teachers and learners in novel ways . In our experience as administrative and education chief residents (senior trainees in the USA selected by peers, faculty members, and programme directors to have additional administrative and educational responsibilities), cloud‐based applications have been underused by educators but rapidly adopted by learners to facilitate collaboration and accessibility of education materials.…”

“…As discussed in a previous toolbox article, social media is one approach to address these barriers, as it allows educators to disseminate new teaching strategies and to connect with other teachers and learners in novel ways. 5 In our experience as administrative and education chief residents (senior trainees in the USA selected by peers, faculty members, and programme directors to have additional administrative and educational responsibilities), cloud-based applications have been underused by educators but rapidly adopted by learners to facilitate collaboration and accessibility of education materials. This became apparent when the senior author (CD) graduated and started postgraduate training (fellowship), and when authors MHL and DC became chief residents.…”

Radiation therapy students’ perceptions of a wiki

“…The educational literature indicates that social media positively affects learner satisfaction and feedback . Web 2.0 technologies (e.g.…”

Developing as a clinical teacher

“…Studies in various disciplines have shown that one of the most effective ways to develop expertise is to combine individual study and activity with the supervision and guidance of an expert teacher to help learners to engage in ‘deliberate practice’ and refine specific aspects of their performance over time . This month's toolbox article on enhancing health professional education using social media also reminds us that technology, health care, learners and society as a whole are constantly evolving, and so even those who have already developed expertise must continue to develop, because the teaching approach that worked last year may not be as effective next year . The increased availability and familiarity with smartphones, for example, has enabled clinical teachers to provide resources, discuss issues and even assess learners in ways that have never been possible before, exemplified by the cardiotocograph simulator app described in this issue .…”

“…1 This month ' s toolbox article on enhancing health professional education using social media also reminds us that technology, health care, learners and society as a whole are constantly evolving, and so even those who have already developed expertise must continue to develop, because the teaching approach that worked last year may not be as effective next year. 6 The increased availability and familiarity with smartphones, for example, has enabled clinical teachers to provide resources, discuss issues and even assess learners in ways that have never been possible before, exemplifi ed by the cardiotocograph simulator app described in this issue. 7 The Clinical Teacher is designed to help busy clinical teachers engage with the latest thinking and research in clinical education, as well as share insights and practice from across disciplines and the world.…”