Scope and Application of Learning Theories in the Delivery of Medical Education

Abstract

Learning is a complex process and refers to the acquisition of new knowledge, comprehension, skills, attitude, behaviors, values, and preferences. Learning theories have been proposed to explain how students receive, process, and retain knowledge. These theories differ from each other based on the underlying principles. Being medical educators, we should have an understanding of each of the learning theories, so that instead of taking sides with one specific theory, we should be broad enough in our vision to accept and employ them based on the nature of the educational experience. To conclude, it is vital that medical teachers should be aware of how students learn, and this aspect can be understood by knowing about different learning theories. Further, we must understand that there is an overlap between educational theories and they complement each other, and thus we should not consider them in isolation.