Professional Learning LO11998

Michael A. Schwartz (mike@cop.health.ufl.edu)
Thu, 16 Jan 1997 15:52:28 EST5EDT

Responding to LO11932

While we still have a very long way to go in formal professional education
we are making some significant progress in the right direction (at least
in Pharmacy - and, I believe, in most other health professions, including
Medicine) by exposing students to patients very early in the curriculum,
by helping them to understand the totality of what is involved in being a
caring healer, and by using newer teaching methods - case studies, small
groups, and self-directed learning with emphasis on problem-solving,
critical thinking, and communication skills. We are in the learning
stages in doing this and as educators develop their teaching skills in
these areas our graduates will be better equipped for lifetime learning,
and more caring about the people they serve. Our challenge is to manage
this transition without lengthening the curriculum and maintaining the
realtively large class sizes we now teach.

Michael A. Schwartz
University of Florida
College of Pharmacy
Box 100496, HSC
Gainesville, FL 32610
Phone:(352) 392-9145
FAX: (352) 392-7782
E-MAIL: MIKE@COP.HEALTH.UFL.EDU

-- 

"Michael A. Schwartz" <mike@cop.health.ufl.edu>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>