Incorporating active learning in psychiatry education

Sonia Kumar; Loyola McLean; Louise Nash; Keith Trigwell

doi:10.1177/1039856217689912

Incorporating active learning in psychiatry education

Australas Psychiatry. 2017 Jun;25(3):304-309. doi: 10.1177/1039856217689912. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Authors

Sonia Kumar¹, Loyola McLean², Louise Nash³, Keith Trigwell⁴

Affiliations

¹ Psychiatry Educator, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Psychiatrist, Woolcock Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Lawson Clinic, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Associate Professor, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Psychotherapy Educator and Coordinator, Sydney West and Greater Southern Psychiatry Training Network, WSLHD, Parramatta, NSW, and; Faculty member, Westmead Psychotherapy Program, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Research Psychiatrist, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Associate Director Teaching and Learning, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Health Education Training Institute, Gladesville, NSW, and; Western NSW Local Health District, Dubbo, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Professor, Institute of Teaching and Learning, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 28135829
DOI: 10.1177/1039856217689912

Abstract

Objective: We aim to summarise the active learning literature in higher education and consider its relevance for postgraduate psychiatry trainees, to inform the development of a new Formal Education Course (FEC): the Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) at the University of Sydney.

Method: We undertook a literature search on 'active learning', 'flipped classroom', 'problem-based learning' and 'psychiatry education'.

Results: The effectiveness of active learning pedagogy in higher education is well supported by evidence; however, there have been few psychiatry-specific studies. A new 'flipped classroom' format was developed for the Master of Medicine (Psychiatry).

Conclusions: Postgraduate psychiatry training is an active learning environment; the pedagogical approach to FECs requires further evaluation.

Keywords: active learning; constructivism; flipped classroom; problem-based learning; psychiatry education.

MeSH terms

Education, Medical, Graduate*
Humans
Problem-Based Learning*
Psychiatry / education*