Learning in Complex and Uncertain Clinical Environments

Code

MEDS4007

School

School of Medicine

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The course examines the challenges of teaching in clinical environments for medical and healthcare professions educators. The module draws on insights from the broader literature in education, leadership, management, psychology and sociology applied to a medical or healthcare professions education context.

The course begins with a review of the literature on volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments and the impact such environments can have on learners, in particular novices. The impact of the clinical environment on learners’ emotions, motivation, and learning will be discussed.  

Thereafter, a critical evaluation of interventions such as human factors training, the adoption of sports psychology techniques, mindfulness, and the role of the supervisor will be discussed. Educational and cognitive approaches to help learners deal with uncertainty will also be explored.  

Finally, the course gives students the time and space to observe with ‘new eyes’ how learning happens, or could happen, in a VUCA environment, through non-participant ethnographic observation in a busy, and potentially VUCA, clinical environment.  Students will critically reflect on their observations as part of their ongoing development in the various expert roles of a teacher.

Target Students

2.1 OR pass at MBBS • Degree is in a medical or allied healthcare professions discipline subject and/or sufficient associated work experience • Students on the MMedSci, PGDip and PGCert Medical Education courses. • PGCHE students • Students proposed as suitable by the Head of School of Medicine

Classes

• One 6-hour un assigned
• One 8-hour seminar
• One 8-hour seminar
• One 8-hour placement

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester

Assessment

• 60% Practical 1: Practical Assignment - 2,500 words
• 40% Practical 2: Reflection Assignment -1,500 words

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

In a medical or healthcare professions education context, students will gain knowledge and understanding of: 

• The various challenges faced by educators when teaching in clinical or workplace-based settings, based on insights from other disciplines such as education, leadership, management, psychology and sociology
• The various VUCA components and the way in which they affect the learning experience of individuals
• The impact of VUCA environments on learner satisfaction, well-being and happiness
• The design of teaching activities and structuring of the educational environment for optimising learning in uncertain and complex clinical environments
• Relevant approaches from other disciplines, such as human factors training, sports psychology, and mindfulness that could be adopted to improve learning in complex and uncertain clinical environments
• The role of the supervisor in supporting self-regulated learning in such environments

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate a learning environment in a medical or healthcare professions context in order to characterise the different elements which may influence learning outcomes
• Critically reflect on the role of the supervisor in supporting learning in uncertain and complex clinical environments and  individual personal and professional development in the expert roles of a teacher.

Conveners

• Professor Nicola Cooper