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How much should our organization rely on residents to teach students?

Residency Program Connection, November 1, 2004

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Residents should teach medical students and younger residents, but they should not be used as substitute faculty members, says Elizabeth H. Morrison, MD, MSED, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine. Residents benefit when they teach others, and that should be the main reason you encourage them to share what they know. Don't think of them as "junior faculty."
 
However, resident teaching should be a routine part of their educations, Morrison says. If done properly, teaching does not have to compete with other duties, largely because the residents can incorporate the teaching into their normal. Contact with students and other residents. Most residents tend to be more effective teachers when they are demonstrating hands-on clinical skills such as how to do a physical exam, take a history, or use certain equipment, Morrison says.
 
Consider teaching a regular part of the residents' work and provide them the time and education necessary to make them successful. Keep the following in mind:
 
1. Don't allow the faculty member to transfer teaching responsibilities to the resident
2. Don't expect your best residents to be your best teachers
3. Provide training on how to teach
4. Review the residents' teaching at regular intervals

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