Informing health professions education through modern educational theories: a necessary process with potential pitfalls

Abstract

This article presents an overview of educational theories focusing on undergraduate health professions education. It represents yet another attempt at untangling the complex issues of what learning theories are about, and how they can inform health professions education. The roles of “self-directed learning” and social interaction in undergraduate medical education are critically discussed; two relevant educational principles are proposed.

Keywords

• medical education
• health professions education
• undergraduate
• learning theory