The three-hour meeting: A socio-cultural approach to engage junior doctors in education

Abstract

Background: Learning in a socio-cultural context, in contrast to an individual context, has been highlighted in recent years. The 3-hour meeting concept presents a socio-cultural framework for collaborative educational opportunities; it has run successfully for 6 years at 129 meetings for junior doctors (JDs) in an 850-bed Danish university hospital.

Aim: This concept improved the educational environment and activities by engaging JDs in educational initiatives.

Method: The concept began with annual meetings that featured self-reflection and plenary discussions regarding all aspects of education. The meetings concluded with the Top 3 of ‘educational issues of concern’ and an action plan for education initiated by junior doctors. This written material on educational matters from each department provided updated knowledge to department and hospital management and resulted in the development of ‘blue prints for educational action’.

Results: The compiled actions resulted in the implementation of 76 educational initiatives in the first year, after just one 3-hour meeting and managerial follow-up.

Conclusion: The junior doctors’ increased engagement in education reinforced educational relationships with senior doctors and management, and this collaboration markedly improved the educational environment and the number of educational activities. Therefore, the 3-hour meeting concept supported the socio-cultural perception of education in the hospital.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Merete Ipsen

MERETE IPSEN is an otorhinolaryngologist and a PhD fellow. Her thesis is entitled Identification and registration of postgraduate medical educational activity in hospitals. She was a member of the task group that invented the 3-hour meeting concept and has worked in the field of medical education since 1999.

Susanne Backman Nøhr

SUSANNE BACKMAN NØHR is a consultant and coordinator of Postgraduate Education at Aalborg Hospital Aarhus University Hospital, and Associate Professor in Postgraduate Education at University of Aarhus. She is also a medical specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology and has a PhD in medicine.