Zarrin Siddiqui

Twelve tips for peer observation of teaching

This paper outlines twelve tips for undertaking peer observation of teaching in medical education, using the peer review model and the experiences of the authors. An accurate understanding of teaching effectiveness is required by individuals, medical schools, and universities to evaluate the learning environment and to substantiate academic and institutional performance. Peer Observation of Teaching is one tool that provides rich, qualitative evidence for teachers, quite different from closed-ended student evaluations. When Peer Observation of Teaching is incorporated into university practice and culture, and is conducted in a mutually respectful and supportive way, it has the potential to facilitate reflective change and growth for teachers.

Benchmarking in Australia using the International Foundations of Medicine Clinical Science Examination

emonstration of consistent standards in medical Deducation is an important response to the increasingmobility of theworkforce and the propagation of new medical schools around the world. Five Australian medical schools (at the universities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and Western Australia) collaborated to perform a comparison across the subdisciplines included on the 2014 International Foundations of Medicine Clinical Science Examination (IFOM CSE).

Framework for an effective assessment: From rocky roads to silk route

A defensible assessment is the cornerstone of health professions education and requires a careful approach from all the stakeholders involved in designing and delivering the curriculum. In this article, a framework is described using four essential attributes that define an effective assessment. These attributes include orientation and clarification of expectations for both faculty and students followed by a well-structured learning experience and constant evaluation of the assessment program.

Application of career related research in Pakistan:The case of apples vs mangoes Zarrin Seema Siddiqui

Career choice of medical graduates is dependent on a number of factors as identified in literature across the globe. This article presents an overview of contemporary research on career choices of medical graduates and the generalisation of findings in Pakistan. A number of issues are highlighted which include lack of standardised instruments, classification of specialties and mixed evidence regarding variables and socio cultural differences..

Application of career related research in Pakistan: The case of apples vs mangoes

Career choice of medical graduates is dependent on a number of factors as identified in literature across the globe. This article presents an overview of contemporary research on career choices of medical graduates and the generalisation of findings in Pakistan. A number of issues are highlighted which include lack of standardised instruments, classification of specialties and mixed evidence regarding variables and socio cultural differences..

Enhancing Capabilities in health professions education.

Objectives This article documents the results of ongoing summative program evaluation of a suite of postgraduate courses at The University of Western Australia designed to enhance the educational capabilities, academic leadership and scholarly output of health professionals. Methods Commencing students were invited to participate in this descriptive, longitudinal study that surveyed students at commencement and subsequently over a seven year period. Data was collected at baseline and follow-up in relation to the respondents’ educational leadership responsibilities, promotions, involvement in new educational programs, and recognition for contributions towards student learning, educational scholarly outputs and involvement in training programs. Results The respondents came from a wide range of health professions and worked in various roles, with a quarter already holding leadership positions. During the follow-up period, half reported receiving a new promotion or moving to new positions requiring educational leadership. Those identifying as being involved with the development of new educational programs doubled and 34% received a new teaching award. Scholarly productivity doubled with 45% giving an oral presentation related to education, 21% publishing and 29% being successful in obtaining funding related to an education project. Conclusions These postgraduate courses in health professions education appear to be positively influencing graduates’ capabilities, especially in the areas of educational leadership skills and scholarly productivity. For those looking to develop a community of leaders in health professions education, the authors offer some suggestions.