Strengthening the process of implementation of coaching in medical education settings

Abstract

The branch of medicine is quite complex and it requires a wide range of teaching–learning innovations, student support activities, and faculty motivation to ensure that the goals of medical education are accomplished. The purpose of the current review is to explore the role of coaching in improving the learning and skill acquisition in the field of medical education. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine and a total of 22 articles were selected based on the suitability with the current review objectives. The ultimate aim of coaching in medical education is to unearth the real potential of the students to optimize their performance by helping them to learn instead of teaching them. Coaching is a strategy to help medical students to become competent and reflective practitioner. In addition, coaching plays an important role in the refinement of technical skills (like surgical skills) and nontechnical skills. To conclude, coaching in medical education has significant scope to improve the learning outcomes among students and even make them lifelong learners. The need of the hour is to implement a coaching system in each of the medical colleges after considering the local logistics and with the active support of faculty members.