Earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending a Teaching Course in Cape Town, presented by the Teaching CoOpTeam #TTCCT18.
I was introduced to Peyton’s Four-Step Approach to Skills Training – of which I am now an avid supporter.
This method has been recommended by our surgical colleagues for the longest time now ….
Having been on the unfortunate receiving end of the time-old “see one, do one, teach one” during my medical training, I am delighted to find an educationally sound alternative to that particular brand of academic torture.
I have been told by various teachers that “practice makes perfect” and “perfect practice makes perfect”. But there is much more to learning a skill.
The key to getting better at any technical skill is deliberate practice.
Star musicians and athletes improve by focused and conscious effort. Clinicians can also refine technical skills by mindful and deliberate practice.
The process of transformation for unconscious novice to competent practitioner is not necessarily rapid or easy. It is enhanced by a skilled coach providing insightful and constructive feedback.
The Four-Step approach incorporates deliberate practice into effective skills training. It is a powerful tool in medical education that I would like to encourage you to add to your armamentarium.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
Other resources
- EMCrit Podcast 211. Expertise with Anders Ericsson Blog by Scott Weingart. Oct 2017.
- EMCrit Podcast 212. Thoughts on Deliberate Practice and Expertise. Blog by Scott Weingart. Nov 2017
- LITFL. Life in the Fast Lane Medical Blog. Deliberate Practice Nickson. April 2017
References
- Peyton J. Teaching and learning in medical practice. Peyton J (Ed). Manticore Europe, Ltd. 1998 :171–80
- Lake FR, Hamdorf JM. Teaching on the run tips 5: teaching a skill. MJA. 2004. 18 (6): 327-328
- Green GM, Chen EH. Top 10 ideas to improve your bedside teaching in a busy emergency department. Emerg Med J. 2014; 0: 1-2
- Krautter M, Wyrich P, Schultz JH et al.Effects of Peyton’s Four-Step Approach on Objective Performance Measures in Technical Skills Training: A Controlled Trial. Teaching and Learning in Medicine: An International Journal, 23:3, 244-250
Post by @QuirkyMD
Peer Reviewed by @epicEMC
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