Developing a Writing Workshop for Clinician-Educators: A Synergistic Integration of Ethics, Rhetoric and Education Theories, and Social Science

Abstract

Introduction: Clinician-educators often need specific direction in writing to publish their scholarly works. Faculty writing workshops and retreats, as well as helpful articles, address the "how-to" of writing but not the "pitfalls" of publishing. We describe an innovative, interactive workshop we crafted for the medical education profession, using our material from didactic presentations on writing given locally and internationally and incorporating education, rhetoric, and social science theories. Methods: Using baseball as a metaphor, we present the material in three sections: "Know the Playing Field" (publication ethics, journal selection/timing, accountability, boundaries), "Learn New Strategies" (publication standards, rhetorical statement, IMRAD), and "Score the Home Run!" (finalizing and submitting the manuscript, responding to reviewers). Results: It has been given in numerous venues, adapted to cover time constraints ranging from 1.5 hours to 3 hours, presented to audiences ranging from Executive Directors to medical trainees, and adjusted in response to feedback, demonstrating its flexibility. In every instance, it has been lauded for its educational value; participants have rated the overall quality of the workshop, as well as individual components, as good or excellent (all above 4 on 1-5 scale) and lessons learned as very useful and most useful. Conclusion: We offer it as a practical and flexible framework for adaptation by other institutions.

Keywords

• ethics
• education theory
• rhetoric
• writing workshop