Exploring the characteristics and context that allow Master Adaptive Learners to thrive

Abstract

Because change is ubiquitous in healthcare, clinicians must constantly make adaptations to their practice to provide the highest quality care to patients. In a previous article, Cutrer et al. described a metacognitive approach to learning based on self-regulation, which facilitates the development of the Master Adaptive Learner (MAL). The MAL process helps individuals to cultivate and demonstrate adaptive expertise, allowing them to investigate new concepts (learn) and create new solutions (innovate). An individual’s ability to learn in this manner is driven by several internal characteristics and is also impacted by numerous aspects of their context. In this article, the authors examine the important internal and contextual factors that can impede or foster Master Adaptive Learning.

Acknowledgments

This manuscript was prepared with support from the American Medical Association as part of the Accelerating Change in Medical Education Initiative. The content reflects the views of the authors. Figure 1 was created by American Medical Association staff.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Glossary

Master Adaptive Learner: Individual who utilizes the metacognitive approach to self-regulated learning that leads to adaptive expertise development.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William B. Cutrer

William B. Cutrer, MD, MEd is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.

Holly G. Atkinson

Holly G. Atkinson, MD, is a Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Education at the CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Erica Friedman

Erica Friedman, MD, is a Deputy Dean for Medical Education, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medical Education at the CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Nicole Deiorio

Nicole M. Deiorio, MD, is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant Dean at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

Larry D. Gruppen

Larry D. Gruppen, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Learning Health Sciences, and Director, Master of Health Professions Education program at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Michael Dekhtyar

Michael Dekhtyar, BA, is a Research Associate, Medical Education Outcomes at the American Medical Association, Chicago, IL, USA.

Martin Pusic

Martin Pusic, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, at the NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.