Clinical Educators Faculty Development Module (On-Demand)-Supporting the Underachieving Learner

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Woodwin Weeks, a pediatric hospitalist and medical educator, discusses how to support underachieving learners in medical education, especially medical students and residents. He emphasizes that educators should set clear expectations from day one about attendance, dress code, patient interactions, documentation, communication with staff, and how and when questions should be asked. He also highlights the differences between medical students and residents, noting that students are often focused on memorization and data gathering, while residents are expected to make clinical decisions and develop plans.<br /><br />The lecture centers on identifying learner deficiencies early, determining whether the issue is knowledge, communication, professionalism, or another competency, and then choosing appropriate remediation. He distinguishes informal remediation or coaching from formal remediation, stressing that feedback should be specific, timely, and constructive. He uses case examples to show how to address deficits in medical knowledge, patient care, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal communication, and professionalism.<br /><br />Key takeaways include documenting concerns, involving support staff or schools when needed, avoiding humiliation, using role modeling, and following up to ensure sustained improvement. The overall message is that effective remediation depends on clear expectations, early intervention, and a compassionate, structured approach.

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Supporting the Underachieving Learner Recording

Keywords

medical education

learner remediation

underachieving learners

pediatric hospitalist

professionalism

clinical feedback

resident training

medical students