Health Professional Education in the Future

Abstract

In this chapter the authors begin by discussing the reasons for continuing change in health professional education and then explore what they believe are the most important emerging trends and their implications. Finally, they ask: Why is these, despite all the upheavals of recent years, still an impetus for yet more change? Some of the major themes examined are professional identity, socialisation and values; the integration of problem-based learning and interprofessional education and practice; the move to clinical placements that are longer, more frequent and more diverse; the advance of technology and how this will impact on real-time contact and interaction with patients and a possible decline in clinical skills; the funding of higher education and how this might affect the provision of one-on-one mentoring and the customisation of education to suit individuals' learning needs. [Author abstract, ed]