Experienced clinical educators improve their clinical teaching effectiveness.

Objectives: To determine if experienced clinical educators (CEs) can improve their teaching by incorporating 4 literature-based teaching methods into their instruction.

Methods: We trained 7 experienced CEs on the teaching methods during a monthly faculty development program. Each CE recorded use of these methods during 10 months on a personal digital assistant. We compared the CEs' teaching evaluations with those of nonparticipating faculty by analysis of variance at baseline, during the study period, and for 1 year after the study.

Results: Reported use of 2 teaching methods (priming and feedback) increased significantly over use at baseline; use of 2 other methods (teaching in the patient's presence and 1-2 focal teaching points) remained constant. Scores on the CEs' teaching evaluations were significantly higher during the study period on 1 item, whereas the comparison group showed no changes. The changes persisted during the follow-up period. CEs reported that the teaching methods focused the learner and teacher, making subsequent encounters more productive. They also found that the act of entering data daily prompted them to reflect on their teaching.

Conclusions: Experienced teachers can be persuaded to incorporate new methods into their daily teaching. Reflection on teaching is enhanced with group support and daily reminders. With these interventions, teaching effectiveness of these experienced educators improved.