Jewel W. Williams, DHSc
EMS & Community Health Researcher, Supporter of Health Science Students and Educator
Published: January 19, 2024 as a LinkedIn Article
As health science educators, transitioning from clinician to educator might impact how one thinks about the education profession. Transferring knowledge to others can be difficult when the experience and skills learned are complex. In pursuing research studies and articles, two highlighted this transition and concentrated on the distinction between a growth mindset, and a fixed mindset.
The Expert of Growth Mindset
As the role requires a mind shift, growth vs. fixed mindset may be a factor. Carol Dweck, a constant force in helping people comprehend the distinction between one's attitude and intelligence, focused on how mindsets influence motivation and success. According to Dweck, the creation of the intervention to nurture a growth mindset in students by teaching them study skills and investigating her theory of expandable intelligence began to spread throughout professional development for instructors to examine this concept. Or is it only a thought?
Two Perspectives
Ong et al., 2019, took another approach, suggesting that novice clinical educators differed in their perceptions of competency levels and identification routines as they perceived themselves to be less competent in how they work as educators. This response failed to authenticate, causing distress.
On the other hand, an article from Chadha, 2020, adopted a different mindset approach to medical education. She gave various examples of how she looked at a student's answer in class. One example that stood out reflects on how the instructor must reflect.
"Rather than reflexively criticizing a learner's incorrect answer, consider how the instructor may have presented the information in an alternate way to be more effective."
The Complement
So, while they are two perspectives on mindset, they are complementary. Mindset is more than a notion; it is a reflexive way instructors can advance their careers. Although perspectives range from a lack of confidence to being defensive as an expert, they all help the instructor move sincerely toward professional progress through reflection and connecting what they experience in the clinical context to move more quickly in the classroom situation.
What are your views on developing a growth mindset and making changes to advance in a health science educator's career?
References
Chadha, N. (2020, March 1). Growth Mindset and medical education: What is the connection?. Harvard Macy Institute - Blog - Growth mindset and medical education: What is the connection? https://harvardmacy.org/blog/growth-mindset-and-medical-education
Ong, S. Y., Lee, M., Lee, L. S., Lim, I., & Tham, K. Y. (2019). Tensions in integrating clinician and educator role identities: A qualitative study with occupational therapists and physiotherapists. BMJ Open, 9(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024821
This article and other articles written by Dr. Jewel White Williams, can be found on Linkedin.