Twelve tips for fostering the next generation of medical teachers

Abstract

Medical professionals with a special interest in and focus on education are essential to provide good quality education. Despite high numbers of students expressing an interest in teaching, concerns are rising regarding the supply of medical teachers, with few junior educators on the career ladder. To date, only some medical schools offer in-depth courses to students wanting to explore or aspire a career as a specialised medical teacher. We propose twelve tips for an elective course to foster the next generation of medical teachers. This course aims to enhance theoretical foundations and educational practices to cultivate the next generation of medical teachers.

Keywords:

• Medical teacher
• junior educators
• teaching course

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

Charlotte R. den Bakker

Charlotte R. den Bakker, MD, is a Ph.D. candidate at the Center for Innovation in Medical Education of the Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.

Renée A. Hendriks

Renée A. Hendriks, MSc, is a Ph.D. candidate at the Center for Innovation in Medical Education of the Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.

Mirjam Houtlosser

Mirjam Houtlosser, Ph.D., is an associate professor in Medical Ethics and Health Law, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.

Friedo W. Dekker

Friedo W. Dekker, Ph.D., is a full professor in Undergraduate Research in Medical Education at the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.

Adriaan F. Norbart

Adriaan F. Norbart, MA, is an educational consultant the Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.