Twelve tips for developing a global community of scholars in health professions education

Abstract

Scholarship in Health Professions Education is not just original research, it also includes study of educational processes, and application of new knowledge to practice. The pathways to successful scholarship are not always clear to novice educators. In this article, we describe strategies to establish a Community of Scholars (CoS), where more experienced and senior members guide junior members in scholarship to advance the field. Drawing on Lave and Wenger’s concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP), we describe twelve practical tips, which include generation of a shared vision, formation of a global community of scholars, engagement in scholarly initiatives, and development of a professional identity, categorised under three major steps: establish, grow, and sustain the community. The tips embrace inclusivity for diverse cultural contexts which further provide opportunities for Health Professions Educators, interested in forming communities of practice, to work on scholarly outputs and add value to the professional arena.

Keywords:

• Leadership
• mentoring
• staff development
• continuing

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Subha Ramani

Subha Ramani, MBBS, MMEd, PhD, FAMEE, is the Director, Program for Research, Innovations and Scholarship, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Judy McKimm

Judy McKimm, MBA, MA, BA, PGDip, Cert ED, FAMEE, FAoME, SFHEA, is a Professor of Medical Education and Director of Strategic Educational Development at Swansea University Medical School, Wales, UK.

Ardi Findyartini

Ardi Findyartini, MD, PhD, is the Head, Department of Medical Education and Medical Education Unit; Head of Cluster, Centre for Medical Education, Indonesia Medical Education and Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia.

Vishna Devi Nadarajah

Vishna Devi Nadarajah, BSc (Hons), MHPE, PhD, is the Pro Vice Chancellor Education and Institutional Development at the International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Richard Hays

Richard Hays, MD, PhD, FRACGP, FANZAHPE, FAoME, FAMEE, combines work in rural family Medicine one with academic roles in medical education in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at James Cook University in Australia, with particular interests in curriculum design, assessment methodology and program evaluation.

Margaret S. Chisolm

Margaret S. Chisolm, MD, FAMEE, is the Vice Chair for Education and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, and of Medicine, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Helena P. Filipe

Helena P. Filipe, MD, MMEd, AFAMEE, FSACME is a consultant of Ophthalmology practicing in Hospital das Forças Armadas/PL-EMGFA and Hospital SAMS in Lisbon, Portugal. She serves the International Council of Ophthalmology, ICO as chair of the CPD area of focus and is a member of the Directive Board of the College of Ophthalmology.

Alice Fornari

Alice Fornari, EdD, RDN, is an Associate Dean, Donald and Barbara Zucker SOM at Hofstra/Northwell and Vice President, Faculty Development at Northwell Health System, USA.

Elizabeth K. Kachur

Elizabeth K. Kachur, PhD, FAMEE, is the Director of Medical Education Development, Global Consulting, New York, USA.

Rashmi A. Kusurkar

Rashmi A. Kusurkar, MBBS, MD, PhD, FAMEE, is an Associate Professor and Research Programme Leader, Research in Education at the Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Harish Thampy

Harish Thampy, MBChB, MRCGP, MSc, PFHEA, is a Professor of Medical Education in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester, UK.

Keith W. Wilson

Keith W. Wilson, BA, MD, PhD, CCFP, FCFP, is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Chair of Assessment at Dalhousie University, Canada.