Integrating teaching into the busy resident schedule: A learner-centered approach to raise efficiency (L-CARE) in clinical teaching

Background: Clinical teachers are sometimes challenged by residents who seem too busy to concentrate on their learning. In such situations, teachers must be aware to diagnose underlying problems in learners and to effectively help them maximize learning while minimizing time and energy requirements. Objective: To develop a learner-centered model to improve efficiency of clinical teaching. Methods: We reviewed the literature on educational diagnosis, self-directed learning, and effective/efficient teaching to put together a new model. Results: The Learner-Centered Approach to Raise Efficiency (L-CARE) in Clinical Teaching is inspired from the well-known patient-centered clinical method. Using the L-CARE in clinical teaching involves: (1) addressing the learners' feelings regarding their environment as well as patient care and study issues, which provides a good learning climate facilitating educational diagnosis and management of issues that could impair learning; (2) establishing a learning contract (expectations); (3) sharing resources and strategies (ideas) that should be effective without wasting time or energy; (4) self-assessment and constructive feedback (impact). These steps are grounded in self-directed learning theory to improve motivation and ensure that learners concentrate on their own needs to promote learning efficiency. Conclusion: The L-CARE model integrates educational diagnosis principles, self-directed learning theory, and efficient teaching strategies to improve efficiency of clinical teaching.