Library guides: ANZCA Educators Program (AEP): Overview

Redesigned ANZCA Educators Program - Overview

The ANZCA Educators Program (AEP) is a practical course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to be competent clinical teachers. It is open to ANZCA fellows, specialist international medical graduates, provisional fellows and trainees (BT onwards), and to FPM fellows and trainees. A review of the AEP has been completed led by the ANZCA Educators Sub-Committee, with extensive input from AEP Facilitators and external experts. The Redesigned ANZCA Educators Program has been launched and now consists of:

Five core modules over 1.5 days to complete the course (previously eight modules over 2.5 days)
A new course handbook that also functions as an enduring reference for participants

Learning outcomes for the revised course are based on the progression indicators in Tier One (Knowing and Doing) of the recently-launched ANZCA Educator Competency Framework. This is the foundational level of competency, applicable to all ANZCA and FPM fellows in their role as clinical teachers.

The following Learning Outcomes underpin the content (interweaved throughout the modules):

Establish positive working relationships and communicate effectively with learners
Promote a culture that emphasises equity and social justice, and is free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment
Recognise the influence of unconscious bias on teaching, learning, and assessment
Recognise the influence and importance of role-modelling in the educator role

Additionally, trainees are able to gain credits towards the “teach a skill” and “facilitate a group discussion/running a tutorial” activities (Scholar Role Activities).

Visit the AEP page on the ANZCA website for information on upcoming courses. If you are interested in becoming an AEP Facilitator, email us at aep@anzca.edu.au

Module 1: Planning Effective Teaching and Learning (PETL)

Describe the principles of adult learning relevant to medical education
Create a supportive and psychologically safe educational environment**
Outline an approach to performing a needs assessment
Write a SMART learning objective
Develop a teaching plan for a teaching and learning session

**New learning outcome

Module 2: Facilitating Learning in Clinical Settings 1 (FLICS1)

Identify specific characteristics of teaching and learning in the clinical setting
Evaluate the use of deliberate teaching tools in the clinical setting* • Plan a session to facilitate learning of a practical skill
Demonstrate key concepts to facilitate learning of a practical skill
Adapt teaching and learning approaches to a variety of clinical settings*

*Significantly modified learning outcome

Module 3: Facilitating Learning in Clinical Settings 2 (FLICS2)

Describe models for feedback conversations*
Conduct an effective feedback conversation*
Outline the factors required to provide effective clinical supervision
Articulate appropriate levels of supervision for various clinical scenarios*

*Significantly modified learning outcome

Module 4: Teaching in Non-Clinical Settings (TINCS)

Evaluate the utility of different non-clinical settings to facilitate teaching and learning*
Outline approaches for facilitating a small-group discussion*
Incorporate techniques to promote interactive teaching and learning in small groups*
Outline approaches for managing the 'different' participant behaviours that can impact on learning*

*Significantly modified learning outcome

Module 5: Assessment and Evaluation in Medical Education (AEME)

Describe the key concepts in assessment
Describe different assessment instruments and their role in facilitating learning, with a focus on WBAs*
Outline methods to evaluate a teaching encounter**
Outline approaches to seek feedback and reflect on own teaching practice**

*Significantly modified learning outcome
**New learning outcome

Additional concepts in medical education (included in handbook)

Recognise the importance of professionalism, leadership, and teamwork in medical education**
Recognise the basic principles of coaching, mentoring, and professional development**
Demonstrate awareness of fair and equitable selection processes for learners**
Identify and support learners experiencing difficulty**
Recognise different approaches to producing new knowledge in medical education research, including quantitative and qualitative approaches**
Describe the principles of critical appraisal and peer-review**
Identify the standards set by statutory and other regulatory bodies in provision and quality assurance of medical education**

**New learning outcome

Medical Education Spotlight

Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM, 5e by Sharon E. Straus; Paul Glasziou; W. Scott Richardson; R. Brian Haynes Now in its fifth edition, this classic introduction to the practice and teaching of evidence-based medicine is written for busy clinicians at any stage of their career who want to learn how to practise and teach evidence-based medicine (EBM). It is short and practical, emphasizing direct clinical application of EBM and tactics to practise and teach EBM in real-time. The online toolkit includes Critical appraisal worksheets, Educational prescription, Pocket Cards, EBM calculators, Educational Prescriptions, Clinical Questions log, Self evaluations. Thoroughly updated with examples from latest evidence/studies.
ISBN: 9780702062964
Publication Date: 2018-04-23
Australia's Toxic Medical Culture: International Medical Graduates and Structural Power by Vicki Adele Pascoe This book explores dominance in Australia's medical culture through the positioning of international medical graduates (IMGs). It argues that IMGs are 'othered' and ultimately positioned as an underclass, a positioning validated and reinforced by the intersecting inequalities of class, race and nation. It also suggests that the positioning of IMGs is organised through the dimensions of structural power, hegemonic power and interpersonal power, which allow an exploration of power relations between the structures of the health system, the Australian medical profession and the agency of IMGs.
Call Number: 306.461 PAS
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ISBN: 9789811324253
Publication Date: 2018-10-22
The First Year: What You Should Know After a Year of Anaesthesia Training (Revised Edition) by Rathie, Lachlan ***Highly recommended*** This book is not an exam primer nor is it a comprehensive textbook of anaesthesia. This is the book you give to the trainee specialist who is about to embark on their anaesthesia training. It contains the information they need to formulate and develop a safe practice of anaesthesia. This book lucidly describes and justifies the core knowledge, behaviours and practical skills that a junior trainee would be expected to possess after a year of anaesthesia. Written specifically for Australasian specialist anaesthetic trainees and those doing their Diploma of Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (DRGA), this book fills the gaping hole in the existing anaesthetic literature. The curriculum for the Introductory Training period and the DRGA is comprehensively addressed in this book.
Call Number: 617.96 RAT
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ISBN: 9798377523246
Publication Date: 17 February 2023
The ANZCA Primary Exam Companion by Lachlan Rathie ***Highly Recommended*** The only ANZCA Primary Exam primer book written by an examiner. This book addresses all components of the anaesthetics primary exam with a focus on the vivas. Exam resources, exam technique, diagrams, opening viva questions, practice SAQs, a study template and 500 short format questions and answers that traverse the entire curriculum are contained within this book.
Call Number: 610.96 RAT
>> REQUEST PRINT LOAN <<
ISBN: 9798359914079
Publication Date: 2022-10-26

White V, Chiswell M, Webber E, et al. What Impact Does Participation in a Communication Skills Training Program Have on Health Professionals' Communication Behaviors: Findings from a Qualitative Study [epub ahead of print, 2023 May 8]. J Cancer Educ. 2023 Keywords: Barriers; Communication skills training; Health professionals; Impact; Qualitative interviews.
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Abstract
Communication skills training can enhance health professionals' knowledge and repertoire of effective communication practices. This paper describes the conceptual model underlying a 3-day retreat communication skills training program, methods used for training, and participant perception of outcomes from the training using qualitative interviews. Repeated qualitative telephone interviews (approximately 6 months apart) with participants of a 3-day Clinical Consultation Skills Retreat. Fourteen participants (70% response, 57% doctors) took part at Time 1, with 12 participating at Time 2. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed, and directional content analysis was conducted to assess themes in areas of key learnings, implementation of skills, and barriers. The training was received very positively with participants valuing the small group learning, role play, and facilitator skills. Key learnings were grouped into two themes: (i) tips and strategies to use in clinical practice and (ii) communication frameworks/methods, with the second theme reflecting an awareness of different communication styles. Most participants had tried to implement their new skills, with implementation reported as a more deliberate activity at T1 than at T2. Those implementing the new skills noted more open conversations with patients. Practical barriers of lack of time and expectations of others were mentioned more often at T2. A 3-day retreat-based communication training program was positively received and had a positive impact on the use of new communication skills. While further work is needed to determine whether effects of training are evidenced in objective clinical behaviors, the positive longer-term benefits found suggest this work would be worthwhile.
Hodgson T, Brazil V, Purdy E. You are in charge now: exploration of educational relationships between anaesthetic trainees and their supervising specialists. BJA open. 2023;6. anaesthetic trainees, autonomy negotiation, educational relationships, gender and training, role modelling, sizing up, supervisory relationships
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Abstract
Background
Much of the education during anaesthesia training occurs in the workplace where trainees work under the close supervision of a more senior anaesthetist. Trainee anaesthetists are exposed to multiple supervisors with whom they form educational and supervisory relationships over the course of their training. Surprisingly little research has been conducted to explore the factors behind the development and maintenance of these relationships. This study explores the process of how education occurs in the workplace by examining the relationship from the perspective of both trainees and specialists.
Methods
This is an exploratory qualitative study. Eight trainee and 10 specialist anaesthetists participated in an individual semi-structured interview. The data were analysed thematically by each of the authors to generate themes.
Results
Six themes were identified in the analysis: (1) sizing up; (2) negotiated autonomy; (3) working closely together; (4) workplace practices; (5) education being valued; and (6) gender. A conceptual model to illustrate the relationships between the six themes was developed.
Conclusions
Supervisory relationships were viewed positively by participants despite impediments such as lack of continuity and busy clinical environments. But there were tensions, particularly in balancing trainee autonomy with patient safety. A nuanced ‘sizing up’ process, with negotiation of autonomy, was described by both supervisors and trainees. Our findings may support supervisory relationships to reach this ideal more effectively.
Chuan A, Qian J, Bogdanovych A, Kumar A, McKendrick M, McLeod G. Design and validation of a virtual reality trainer for ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia [epub ahead of print, 2023 Apr 3]. Anaesthesia. 2023;10.1111/anae.16015. Keywords: medical education; regional anaesthesia; ultrasound; virtual reality.
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Abstract
Virtual reality is a form of high-fidelity simulation that may be used to enhance the quality of medical education. We created a bespoke virtual reality trainer software using high resolution motion capture and ultrasound imagery to teach cognitive-motor needling skills necessary for the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. The primary objective of this study was to determine the construct validity between novice and experienced regional anaesthetists. Secondary objectives were: to create learning curves for needling performance; compare the virtual environment immersion with other high-fidelity virtual reality software; and compare cognitive task loads imposed by the virtual trainer compared with real-life medical procedures. We recruited 21 novice and 15 experienced participants, each of whom performed 40 needling attempts on four different virtual nerve targets. Performance scores for each attempt were calculated based on measured metrics (needle angulation, withdrawals, time taken) and compared between the groups. The degree of virtual reality immersion was measured using the Presence Questionnaire, and cognitive burden was measured using the NASA-Task Load Index. Scores by experienced participants were significantly higher than novices (p = 0.002) and for each nerve target (84% vs. 77%, p = 0.002; 86% vs. 79%, p = 0.003; 87% vs. 81%, p = 0.002; 87% vs. 80%, p = 0.003). Log-log transformed learning curves demonstrated individual variability in performance over time. The virtual reality trainer was rated as being comparably immersive to other high-fidelity virtual reality software in the realism, possibility to act and quality of interface subscales (all p > 0.06) but not in the possibility to examine and self-performance subscales (all p < 0.009). The virtual reality trainer created workloads similar to those reported in real-life procedural medicine (p = 0.53). This study achieved initial validation of our new virtual reality trainer and allows progression to a planned definitive trial that will compare the effectiveness of virtual reality training on real-life regional anaesthesia performance.

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