The Learning Outcome

Dr Priya Khanna, Associate Professor (Nexus Fellow) at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, discusses the transformative power of programmatic assessment in healthcare education. Priya argues for a holistic assessment strategy that prioritises students' capabilities over mere scores, advocating for meaningful integration of assessments throughout a course. The discussion highlights some of the limitations of traditional assessment practices and emphasises the need for a paradigm shift that aligns evaluation with the realities of student development. 

Kirsty Freeman, Academic Coordinator at the Rural Clinical School of WA and a Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, explores the intricacies of impostor phenomenon within healthcare education. Kirsty shares her journey from a budding actor to a healthcare educator, integrating her passion for performance into teaching through innovative simulation techniques. She discusses her ongoing PhD research, which focuses on understanding impostor phenomenon among healthcare simulation educators. By sharing personal experiences and research findings, Kirsty highlights how feelings of impostorism, often perceived as a barrier, can be reframed as a tool for personal growth, professional development, and humility. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on how educators and professionals can navigate and even embrace these feelings, ultimately leading to more authentic and resilient teaching practices. 

Dr Meg Harrold, the Director of Student Experience in the Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University shares her teaching journey, emphasising the importance of empathy and connection in education. Meg discusses her role in enhancing student engagement, particularly for those from equity groups, and her efforts to improve accessibility and retention through innovative strategies. With her passionate approach, Meg is shaping a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. 

Dr. Emma Hodge, the Medical Education and Wellbeing Registrar at Bundaberg Hospital, shares her pioneering role in supporting doctors’ well-being through systemic changes. With a passion for healthcare optimisation, Emma’s role focuses on improving healthcare systems to reduce stress and burnout among medical professionals. Emma discusses the initiatives implemented to support junior doctors, such as enhanced training, better rostering, and career support, which have significantly reduced burnout rates. Emma's work highlights the importance of a holistic approach to well-being, where healthcare organisations actively create supportive environments for their staff.