Innovation in teaching and learning in health higher education - literature review.

Abstract

The landscape for health professional education is changing. The higher education (HE) sector faces the challenge of delivering high quality education at a time of financial constraint and increased emphasis on the student as a consumer. But universities also face new expectations from a health sector that is increasingly recognising both the interdependency between the quality of health care and the quality of education and training and the potential for education to support innovation. Although the differences in the HE and health policy context across the four UK home nations are increasingly significant, these are common challenges for all 85 members of the UK Council of Deans of Health. ... The literature review throws up many interesting findings. It is striking that there is relatively little research evidence on assessment or practice oriented innovative teaching and learning interventions, nationally or internationally. So too, the gaps revealed in the evidence base around the culture of innovation are something that we will pursue as a project group with a further literature review in 2014. However, the literature review reveals a rich body of research, covering areas as diverse as simulation, social media, drama and peer learning. Our hope is that the findings will help colleagues across the UK to track down the research evidence behind existing innovative practice and that it will stimulate many new ideas as we seek to continually improve the way we teach. Professor Brian J. Webster, Assistant Dean, Edinburgh Napier University and Chair, Innovation Project Advisory Group.