Exploring the Landscape of Educational Theory Informing Health Professions Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Methodological and Theoretical Perspectives in Professions Education (Table 13)

Abstract

Health professions education research (HPER) is a growing field that demands methodological rigor and grounding in robust theory. Previous work has examined the impact of individual educational theories on HPER, but little is known about the landscape of theory in the field. Our team reviewed a sample of original research published across the health professions. Of the 90 publications included in the review, 55 (61.1%) had at least one named theory, 25 (27.8%) had at least 2, and 7 (7.8%) publications had 3 educational theories named. Social constructivist and constructivist theories were most prevalent in the sample. Showing a trend towards social learning and competency-based education.

Authors

• Lana Marie Minshew, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Kristina Kaljo, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Rachel Kavanaugh, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Katherine R. Gavinski, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Devarati S. Syam, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Michael Braun, Milwaukee School of Engineering

• Austin Tubbs, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Michael DeBisschop, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Eliana Bonifacino, Georgetown University

• Amy Farkas, Medical College of Wisconsin