Current trends in medical education affecting allergy and immunology physicians and learners

Abstract

Objective: To review current and relevant trends in medical education, undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education for the allergy and clinical immunology (A/I) community.

Data sources: English-only published literature from the past 5 years were obtained by means of a PubMed search and Google Scholar searches in addition to pertinent review articles and relevant textbooks as selected by the authors.

Study selections: A total of 62 articles were selected for their relevance to the article's objective. Older references regarding medical education trends were included when they were felt to be essential.

Results: Competency-based medical education is the contextual framework for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Current trends influencing competency-based medical education are the following: e-learning; interprofessional education; simulation-based medical education; diversity, inclusion, and equity; and mentoring. This review clarifies terminology and offers examples of the potential impact of these trends within the A/I educational community. The development of knowledge and skills related to these topics can be achieved through formal faculty development, mentoring, and self-directed, asynchronous instruction.

Conclusion: Medical education continues to evolve as health care adapts to meet the changing needs of the health care system and our patients. The A/I physicians should be aware of current trends because these trends impact their roles as instructors and lifelong learners.