In this new and extensively updated second edition, the Association for the Study of Medical Education presents a complete and authoritative guide to medical education. Written by leading experts in the field, Understanding Medical Education provides a comprehensive resource of the theoretical and academic bases to modern medical education practice.

This authoritative and accessible reference is designed to meet the needs of all those working in medical education from undergraduate education through postgraduate training to continuing professional development. As well as providing practical guidance for clinicians, teachers and researchers, Understanding Medical Education will prove an invaluable resource to those studying at certificate, diploma or masters level and a first ‘port-of-call’ for anyone engaged in medical education as an academic discipline.

Exploring medical education in all its diversity and containing all you need in one place, Understanding Medical Education is the ideal reference not only for medical educators, but for anyone involved in the development of healthcare professionals, in whatever discipline wherever they are in the world.

Contributors, vii

Foreword, xi

Preface, xiii

Part 1: Foundations, 1

1 Understanding medical education, 3
Tim Swanwick

2 Teaching and learning in medical education: How theory can inform practice, 7
David M Kaufman and Karen V Mann

3 Principles of curriculum design, 31
Janet Grant

4 Quality in medical education, 47
Alan Bleakley, Julie Browne and Kate Ellis

Part 2: Educational Strategies, 61

5 Problem-based learning, 63
Mark A Albanese and Laura C Dast

6 Interprofessional education, 81
Della Freeth

7 Work-based learning, 97
Clare Morris and David Blaney

8 Supervision, mentoring and coaching, 111
John Launer

9 Teaching and leading small groups, 123
Peter McCrorie

10 Lectures and large groups, 137
Andrew Long and Bridget Lock

11 Technology-enhanced learning, 149
Alison Bullock and Peter GM de Jong

12 e-Learning, 161
Scott Rice and Jean McKendree

13 Simulation in medical education, 175
Jean Ker and Paul Bradley

14 Portfolios in personal and professional development, 193
Erik Driessen and Jan van Tartwijk

15 Self-regulated learning in medical education, 201
Casey B White, Larry D Gruppen and Joseph C Fantone

16 Learning medicine from the humanities, 213
J Jill Gordon and H Martyn Evans

17 Patient involvement in medical education, 227
John Spencer and Judy McKimm

Part 3: Assessment, 241

18 How to design a useful test: The principles of assessment, 243
Lambert WT Schuwirth and Cees PM van der Vleuten

19 Written assessment, 255
Brian Jolly

20 Workplace assessment, 279
John J Norcini

21 Structured assessments of clinical competence, 293
Katharine AM Boursicot, Trudie E Roberts and William P Burdick

22 Standard setting methods in medical education, 305
André F De Champlain

23 Formative assessment, 317
Diana F Wood

Part 4: Research and Evaluation, 329

24 Thinking about research: Theoretical perspectives, ethics and scholarship, 331
Jan Illing

25 Quantitative research methods in medical education, 349
Geoff Norman and Kevin W Eva

26 Qualitative research in medical education: Methodologies and methods, 371
Stella Ng, Lorelei Lingard and Tara J Kennedy

27 Programme evaluation: Improving practice, influencing policy and decision-making, 385
Chris Lovato and David Wall

Part 5: Staff and Students, 401

28 Selection into medical education and training, 403
Fiona Patterson, Eamonn Ferguson and Alec L Knight

29 Career progression and support, 421
Caroline Elton and Nicole J Borges

30 Managing remediation, 433
Deborah Cohen, Melody Rhydderch and Ian Cooper

31 Dealing with diversity, 445
Antony Americano and Dinesh Bhugra

32 Developing medical educators: A journey, not a destination, 455
Yvonne Steinert

33 Educational leadership, 473
Judy McKimm and Tim Swanwick

Index, 493