Cited by 154Innovations in Medical EducationHospital Admissions and OutcomesHealth and Medical Education

The rotational approach to medical education: time to confront our assumptions?

Holmboe, Eric, Ginsburg, Shiphra, Bernabeo, Elizabeth·2011·Medical Education

Abstract

Medical Education 2011: 45 : 69–80 Context Trainees in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education engage in multiple transitions as part of the educational process, including many transitions that occur on both periodic and daily bases within medical education programmes. The clinical rotation, based on either a medical discipline or clinical care setting and occurring over a predetermined, short period of time, is a deeply entrenched educational approach with its roots in Abraham Flexner’s seminal report. Many assumptions about the presumed benefits of clinical rotations have become pervasive despite a lack of empirical evidence on their optimal timing and structure, and on how transitions between clinical rotations should occur. Methods In this paper, we examine the issue of rotational transitions from the three perspectives of sociology, learning theory, and the improvement of quality and safety. Results Discussion from the sociological perspective addresses the need for much greater attention to interprofessional relationships and professional development, whereas that from the learning theory perspective examines the gap between what is known from pedagogical and cognitive science and what is currently practised (learning theory). Discussion from the perspective of improving quality and safety refers to the critical need to embed trainees in functional clinical microsystems as meaningful participants. Conclusions Research is urgently needed on the effects of transitions on trainees, faculty staff, non‐doctor health care providers and patients in order to optimise future competency‐based training models and confirm or refute current assumptions.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03847.x

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Authors
Holmboe, E., Ginsburg, S., & Bernabeo, E.
Affiliations
American Board of Internal Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Holmboe, Eric
Venue
Medical Education
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-12-14
Volume
45
Issue
1
Pages
69-80
ISSN
  • 0308-0110 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2923
OpenAlex
W1602196365
Cited by
154
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 3
FWCI
6.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medical Education (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Hospital Admissions and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Medical Education
Keywords
clinical rotations, rotational transitions, undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, interprofessional relations, professional development, learning theory, cognitive science, quality and safety, clinical microsystems, competency-based training, trainee experiences
MeSH terms
Competency-Based Education, Education, Medical, Graduate, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Humans, Students, Medical

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