Adult learning principles in the development of an academic half day session

Post-graduate trainees serve a dual role as learner and practitioner, and their clinical education must be supported by an academic curriculum that meets the objectives of their training program. Principles of adult learning that encourage critical thinking and collaboration can enhance the effectiveness of academic sessions for adult learners. This paper will review the practical use of adult learning in the context of an academic half day session for residents in Pediatrics. The specific focus on a single topic models adult learning techniques that can be broadly applied across different branches of medicine and different levels of learners.