[Understanding Medical Education: Evidence,Theory and Practice] (By: Tim Swanwick) [published: December, 2013] Paperback – 31 Dec 2013

A very comprehensive book which in the short time I have used it found it very helpful

excellent

This is the set text for a course I am doing. Highly esteemed authors writing each chapter. A very dense book with small print, much more useful and knowledgeable than Ketteridge and Fry (personal opinion) but only deals with medical education.

Found this book very helpful indeed

Despite initially using it for inspiration in designing an online anatomy course, I found every aspect of this book to be highly readable, and enjoyable. As stated clearly from the outset, it is a synthesis of the theory and practice of medical education; I'm very new into the med-ed world, so didn't know a lot beforehand beyond 'mnemonics are useful' and email volume triples. Professor Swanwick has done a great job of bringing together some highly reputable experts to cover a vast amount.The book starts off with how to form the foundations of a course (how to design a curriculum and maximise it's quality). The theory aspect is quite interesting - I'd argue perhaps not overly relevant in the long-run - and the basics of curriculum design are pretty common sense. However, there are so many gems. The chapter, 'A critical approach to quality', is exemplar - a scholarly argument, founded on research (that is explained concisely in case study boxes) and well explored and debated history/ philosophy; a real treat for anyone so inclined.Then the book delves into the different methods of teaching: those commonly used (how to approach organising them/ their advantages and disadvantages) and some that aren't (e.g. learning from humanities chapter was an eye-opener!). I expect most people reading will cherry pick based on prejudices/ planned projects, but a thorough read will certainly have ideas stirring. As most courses are necessarily multi-faceted, there is no better introduction around; all types, from PBL to e-learning, are dealt with purely analytically. No salesmanship!The third part discusses how to write assessments. During the anatomy fellowship, this was certainly one of the hardest aspects to construct, let alone get right - if you can, that is. Each and every imaginable type of medical assessment is covered; the scientific dissection of each type (reliability, validity, impact, cost-effectiveness, acceptability) is fascinating, certainly something I would have left (ignorantly) to common sense. The referencing is also excellent should you wish to read further. Much the same with the fourth section on evaluating the course and researching med-ed, something that should be done more!Lastly, the 'Staff and Students' section deals with:Medical student progression - choosing between applicants, dealing with diversity, managing remediation and supporting career progression. This is done with great delicacy; an underlying emphasis that students are firstly people and then doctors is refreshing. Well worth a read even for medical students, who can use the material to approach flaws they may have encountered in a literate and mature manner.Fostering medical educators and educational leadership - motivational and instructive for job applications!The obvious, and frankly only criticism, is the cost. It does make this text largely inaccessible to budding med-edders, which is a shame. But equally, having only asked for a review copy to help with an online course but having become so totally engrossed, it is arguably worth its weight in gold.Sincerely great intro to medical education.Competing interest: received gratis copy for help with Oxford Anatomy Fellowship.

Great book and worth getting, but its fourteen quid cheaper direct from the assoc for the study of medical education!