A Medical Teacher's Manual for Success

Book excerpt: Although most medical school faculty members are required to teach, the standard medical school curriculum doesn't tell them how to do it well. This book does. An award-winning clinician-teacher, Helen M. Shields has spent her career training future doctors, researchers, and medical school instructors. Here she shares classroom-tested methods for developing, implementing, and evaluating effective curricula for medical students. Shields's five steps emphasize • extensive behind-the-scenes preparation, with a focus on visualizing both one's own performance and the desired student feedback • clear and logical presentations that match the material being taught • controlled exploration of topics through prepared questions and management of group dynamics • reinforcement of important concepts throughout the teaching session • a five-minute summary of take-home points Shields's easy-to-follow guide discusses what teachers should do—and what they should not do. She provides pertinent beginning-of-chapter questions, sample teaching materials, tips for last-minute assignments, and other pearls of wisdom. Shields also describes the methods of dynamic and effective instructors, offers a step-by-step approach to preparation and presentation, and relates proven ways to address a variety of expected and unexpected situations. Innovative and practical, A Medical Teacher's Manual for Success is an essential resource for medical school faculty members who want to teach well.