A good teacher should be adept in the following aspects of knowledge, skills and attitudes:
Knowledge: demonstrates clinical competence and expertise in respective discipline, provide resources to facilitate learning; Skills: possesses clinical skills in teaching to stimulate critical thinking and problem solving, creates a supportive learning environment using a student-centered approach based on student strengths to affirm and motivate them to success. The teacher should be equipped with communication skills to create a positive relationship with students. Attitudes: The teacher should be calm and patient in the face of stressful conditions, be approachable and accessible in dealing with students, and teach with enthusiasm and passion. The teacher goes beyond what is required, to empower and inspire students to success, enhance student confidence and patience to allow student to learn at their own pace.
I have the clinical and medical competence and teaching skills to stimulate critical thinking and problem solving, teach with enthusiasm. The most common student and resident feedback I receive is that I am able to break down complex concepts to enable them to understand a particular topic. However, I need more patience and empathy when students do not seem to be progressing as much as I would like them to, or when they do not seem to be learning. I need to practise more on affirmation rather than criticizing the students.
And lastly, I would like to share this, because this served as an eye-opener and point of reflection to me because I thought it was the other way around.
“Motivation is a product of good clinical teaching, not a prerequisite” – J.Biggs 1991
