A guide to the ATSM in Medical Education. Article 4: quality assurance and research in medical education

Abstract

Key content Quality assurance measures an institution's performance against standards of good educational practice. Primary medical educational research uses a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Additional databases other than those for health sciences need to be searched for reviews or systematic reviews in medical education. Learning objectives For trainers and trainees to be aware of the structure of the quality assurance frameworks within which they teach. For trainees to know where to find and how to appraise educational literature critically. Trainers will be able to involve trainees in quality assurance programmes and encourage them to solve educational questions through critical appraisal of the literature. Ethical issues How responsible is a trainee for taking action if their critical appraisal of the quality of their training programmes reveals a culture of bullying? Trainees and trainers should be aware of the quality assurance programmes in place for medical education. Trainers should be able to appraise new teaching methods. Please cite this article as: Shehmar M, Khan KS. A guide to the ATSM in Medical Education. Article 4: quality assurance and research in medical education. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2010;12:257–263.