LEARNING AND TEACHING IN DERMATOLOGY - A PRACTITIONERS GUIDE

Background: The explosion of medical knowledge, the influence of( )com munications technology, and the pressures for health care reform chall enge dermatologists to learn efficiently and teach effectively. Observ ations: The vast body of material on teaching and learning in the educ ation literature contrasts sharply with the limited information on the se topics in the dermatology literature. Gaining an understanding of t hese approaches to learning provides a foundation for the design of pe rsonal continuing medical education plans and lesson plans for student s. Practical teaching skills are emphasized in this review. Conclusion s: Learning and leaching skills can be improved through study. Success ful teaching often produces positive feedback, which can lead to renew ed enthusiasm for educating clinicians in the field of dermatology.