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Are you “doing” teaching, or are you being a teacher?
When it comes to teaching in academic medicine, there is a fundamental difference, and we must lean into building a skillset that reflects the latter, as we learn in this week’s edition of the Faculty Factory Podcast with Karen Moniz, MEd (HSE), PhD(c).
Karen emphasized the critical distinction between merely ‘doing’ teaching and embodying the role of a teacher, drawing from her extensive experience as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta.
She previously served as the Faculty and Staff Development Program Director at that institution from 2018 to 2023.
She highlighted the intrinsic value of teaching within medical education, stressing its implications for patient care, quality, and safety. Through personal anecdotes and observations, Karen illuminated the challenges faced by clinical teachers, particularly in navigating the complex and demanding clinical environment while simultaneously engaging in teaching activities.
Karen is a major proponent of elevating the visibility and recognition of teaching within academic institutions, suggesting that valuing teaching not only benefits individual educators but also enhances patient outcomes and institutional success.
When we value teaching it becomes a true win-win for all stakeholders in our community.