Best Practices for Medical Educators
Maestro Stahl has done it again. Instead of educating us on cutting-edge theory and pragmatics of neuropsychopharmacology, he is taking it one step further, teaching us how to better educate others. The target audience for this timely, concise, yet comprehensive pearl is medical educators, but the lessons he and Richard Davis illustrate are applicable to a much broader audience. Stephen Stahl is widely regarded as one of the best, most effective and most influential teachers of contemporary psychopharmacology. On these pages, like a master pitching coach, he breaks down the essential mechanics, step by step, of effective pedagogy and delivery. Even novices, as well as the already established teachers, can assimilate the message, apply the material, and improve their game.He walks the walk and talks the talk.One of the most important aspects of this book is that it is written in precisely the way Stahl and Davis agree presentations should be made. There is an initial grabber set in the Preface, telling the reader why it s so important to attend to what he or she is about to read. Then there s a middle section, with lots of repetition and self-assessment tools to make sure the reader understands the material andplans to use it.Finally, there are ample summaries, posttests, and evaluations. Each lesson is well illustrated with the kind of graphics that clarify and amplify the written word, and the lessons are broken down in manageable bits that don t overwhelm the reader.One of the most memorable aspects of the book is the homage paid to other master educators and theorists, with frequent insets providing pictures, brief biographies, and key contributions of several icons in adult education theory. There are also pithy, often humorous quotes, including several from one of my personal favorites, Yogi Berra, to illuminate the message.In short, the book not only describes how to become a powerful public speaker but also provides a living example of best practices of medical education.But where have you been, Joe DiMaggio?My only regret is that I have been teaching for more than 30 years without this guidebook. I have no doubt I could have been a more effective instructor, in both small and large group settings, if something like this book had been available earlier in my career. It is a first of its kind! As a residency training director, I will make sure my trainees don t have the same regret. I plan to institute a course on effective teaching, using this book as the primary source, to help residents learn valuable lessons for the work they do teaching students, other residents, staff, and, to some extent, even their patients. This is a text every training director and medical educator should own.Sidney Zisook, MDProfessor of PsychiatryDirector, Residency TrainingUniversity of California, San Diego --Sidney ZisookThis marvelous gem of a book is truly unique. Practical, easy to understand and apply, yet derived from a robust body of literature; the techniques described in this book are applicable to a variety of educational settings. The authors, true practitioners of their craft, have been considered among the best for years. My only regret is that this book was not available two decades ago; it would have saved me thousands of hours of toil. I highly recommend this to any medical educator.Javaid I. Sheikh, MD, MBAActing Dean, Professor of PsychiatryWeill-Cornell Medical College in QatarProfessor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences EmeritusStanford University School of Medicine --Javaid I. SheikhFor those interested in becoming top notch presenters, this book will serve as an authoritative source on how to maximize your impact on your audience. This book provides explicit instruction on how to effect real education, striving to go beyond the all-too-often passive diffusion of material from presenter to listener.Dr. Stahl and Mr. Davis have done an excellent job in providing a comprehensive and engaging book that will help raise the bar among medical educators who aspire to continued performance improvement.Peter F. Buckley, MDProfessor and Chairman, Department of PsychiatryAssociate Dean for Leadership DevelopmentMedical College of Georgia --Peter F. Buckley