The two poles of research in the field of medical education research
Production for users (PU pole)
Production for producers (PFP pole)
Scientists advocate for:
Scientists advocate for:
• Knowledge production aimed at
non-producers (non-peers).
• Knowledge production aimed at
producers (peers).
• Autonomy of the field; research
problems
defined internally by scientists.
• Knowledge-building research.
• Peer-reviewed procedures for
evaluation exclusion of non-scientific
criteria.
Continuum
• Opening-up the field to nonscientists; participation of
practitioners in the definition of
research problems.
• Services/problem-solving
research.
• Participation of non-academics in
evaluation procedures; integration
of criteria pertaining social
relevance and practical outcomes
Albert M, Hodges B, Regehr G (2006). Research in Medical Education: Balancing
service and science Advances in Health Sciences Education October 11.
Brian Hodges MD, PhD
Advancing healthcare education
and practice through research
“Quality is relative to perspective
 Description of a physical examination course
 Very interesting for teacher in charge of such a course
 Contributes little to advancing the theory of teaching
 A study on visual-spatial changes in the brain
during laparoscopic training
 Very interesting for those interested in learning theory
 Difficult to apply in the classroom
Brian Hodges MD, PhD
Advancing healthcare education
and practice through research
We need to have two heads!
 To advance the field of medical education research
we have to improve the theoretical depth of research
 However we must:
 Attend to the relevance
 Include the perspective of clinicians and students
 Attract financial support
 We must “create a cycle between theory and
medical education rather than the current
fragmentation” Bordage (2000)
Brian Hodges MD, PhD
Advancing healthcare education
and practice through research