Researching models of innovation and adoption in health professions education.

Background: Despite the constant presence of change and innovation in health professions education (HPE), there has been relatively little theoretical modelling of such change, the experiences of change, the ideology associated with change or the unexpected consequences of change. In this paper, the authors explore theoretical approaches to the adoption of innovations in HPE as a way of mapping a broader theoretical landscape of change.

Method: The authors, HPE researchers with an interest in technology adoption and systemic change, present a narrative review of the literature based on a series of thought experiments regarding how communities and individuals respond to the introduction of new ideas or methods.

The curious case of case study research.

The conceptualisation of 'good' medical education research as hypothesis testing to identify universal truths that are generalisable across contexts has been challenged. Joining this conversation, the field of health professions education research is complex and contextual and there are ways of examining and reporting locally based activities and innovations, which can be of general value. This position leads to a focus on case study research (CSR), inquiry bound in time and place that generates thick descriptions and close interpretations to reach explanations.