Understanding professional practice: investigations before and after an educational programme1
- 1 December 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Studies in Higher Education
- Vol. 29 (6), 679-692
- https://doi.org/10.1080/0307507042000287195
Abstract
During preparation for professional practice, the professional skill being developed is typically measured in the form of specific knowledge and skills. This study proposes an alternative to such measures, drawing upon research which demonstrates that our understanding of professional practice is central to how we both perform and develop that practice. The study investigates understanding of medical practice prior to and following a pre‐medical programme. On commencing the programme, students showed substantial variation in their understanding of medical practice. At the end of the programme much of this variation remained, indicating the students had developed varying forms of professional skill. The study calls into question the adequacy of a focus on detailed knowledge and skills as a base for professional practice. In line with previous research, an important implication of the study is that developing skilful practice requires focusing on understanding of that practice in and through its performance.Keywords
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Book Review: Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and InteractionQualitative Research, 2002
- Knowing in practice: re-conceptualising vocational expertiseLearning and Instruction, 2001
- UNDERSTANDING HUMAN COMPETENCE AT WORK: AN INTERPRETATIVE APPROACH.The Academy of Management Journal, 2000
- Ways of experiencing asthma management: Variations among general practitioners in SwedenScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 1999
- Educating for competence in professional practiceInstructional Science, 1996
- What is Reflection? On reflection in the teaching profession and teacher educationTeachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 1995
- The practice of learningPublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1993
- The Need for a New Medical Model: A Challenge for BiomedicineHolistic Medicine, 1989
- Social Contexts of Health, Illness and Patient CareHealth Care Management Review, 1982
- Phenomenography ? Describing conceptions of the world around usInstructional Science, 1981