Over the past 2 days, after participating in Grand Rounds, I did what I always do after giving a talk. I replayed the process in my head, and tried to understand what I had done well and not as well. But this time, given the new topic, my reflections shed some light on my use of social media and the importance of the “big experiment” of Skyping with Dr. Matt Watto to discuss podcasting.
My first understanding was that blogging has mostly served me. It has given me a platform to become a better writer. But more important it has allowed me to put my ideas down on paper. This process allows me to test out ideas, concepts, and methods for making my thoughts more clear. It allows me to give the ideas a test. The ideas do not all work, but many do. Many become refined as I try to express my thinking.
Facebook on the other hand is simply (for me) a method to keep in touch. I do learn how former students and residents are faring. But this is my least important social media presence.
Twitter has become a major part of my personal continuing education. Because of my twitter habit, I have set a standard of tweeting at least one important medical concept each day. Most often these refer to an article in the literature or a podcast.
Podcasting is rapidly becoming a major method in medical education. I have a colleague who has adopted podcasts as her main method for getting CME and MOC credits. She has young children, works part-time, and would have difficulty going to conferences and classes. She finds podcasts convenient and an important contribution to her work-life balance.
Many residents listen to podcasts either when working out, or when commuting. They love medicine, and enjoy learning during those times.
These ideas seem more clear than prior to developing and giving the Grand Rounds, but none of these are as important as my “big reveal”.
The conversation with Matt clearly was the highlight of our Grand Rounds (it lasted around 20-25 minutes). Both colleagues and residents told me how much they enjoyed the conversation. Both The Curbsiders and Annals On Call are conversations.
When I listen to podcasts, I find the most interesting are those that involve conversations. So, as I was pondering this phenomenon, I wondered if this should be part of more Grand Rounds.
Residents in our program rate morning reports and Clinical Problem Solving conferences as their best learning experiences. These are conversations.
Having 2 or more people discuss a topic, clarifying thoughts and posing follow up questions, helps me absorb a topic better. The classic lecture is usually boring as hell. I have given many Grand Round lectures. After years of honing my skills I generally get good reviews. No matter how well I do, I would greatly prefer to have conversations, discuss patients and try to apply and expand knowledge to helping patients.
I think this is a personal epiphany. We need to figure out how to incorporate conversation into the major of our teaching. I hope this makes sense to you the reader. Typing this is helping me play with these thoughts.
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