Behavioral Sciences and Ethics: Learning Concepts

Behavioral Sciences and Ethics: Lesson 06-Part 01

• Medical Sciences Program Semester 01, Year 01, BIU
• Taught by Professor Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Medical Sciences Program, BIU

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the concept of learning.
• Define learning as a lasting change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.
• Introduce formal and informal learning concepts.
• Explore the importance of understanding learning in healthcare.
• Influence patient behavior.
• Ensure patient adherence to treatment.
• Promote the continuous development of healthcare professionals.

What is Learning?

• Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge acquired through experience and interaction.
• Learning results from interaction with the environment.
• Learning can be observed directly or inferred.
• Examples of learning include riding a bike and mastering a medical technique.

Key Features of Learning

• Learning involves the acquisition of new information or skills.
• Learning leads to long-term changes, not just short-term memorization.
• Learning results from actively engaging with the environment.
• "Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence." - Abigail Adams

Key Characteristics of Learning

• Learning is an active process that requires interaction and engagement.
• Learning can be intentional or unintentional, occurring through experiences.
• Learning is cumulative, building upon existing knowledge and skills.
• Learning is context-dependent, influenced by cultural, social, and environmental factors.

Theories of Learning

• Behaviorist: Learning occurs through conditioning, focusing on observable behaviors. (e.g., Pavlov's dogs)
• Cognitive: Emphasizes mental processes like memory, problem-solving, and comprehension.
• Constructivist: Views learning as a process of building knowledge through active exploration.

Types of Learning

• Experiential: Learning through direct experience (e.g., clinical rotations).
• Social: Learning by observing and imitating others (e.g., role modeling).
• Self-Directed: Taking the initiative to learn (e.g., research).
• Formal/Informal: Differentiating structured (e.g., university courses) from unstructured (e.g., clinical rotations) approaches.

Key Concepts in Learning

• Formal learning: Structured, intentional learning often involving credentials (e.g., university courses, workshops). Examples include medical school lectures and training workshops.
• Informal learning: Unstructured, spontaneous, and experiential learning. Examples include learning through clinical rotations and observing colleagues.

Why Does Learning Matter?

• Individuals: Enables personal growth, adaptability, and enhances decision-making skills.
• Healthcare: Improves patient outcomes by educating patients, and promotes professional development among healthcare providers.
• Society: Drives innovation and social progress.

Why is Learning Important in Healthcare (Specific aspects)?

• For patients: Health information promotes better health literacy, influences behavioral changes for a healthier lifestyle, and improves adherence to treatment plans.
• For healthcare providers: Encourages continuous professional development, helps adapt to evolving medical technologies and treatments, and promotes effective communication with patients.
• Improved patient care, diagnosis, treatment, adherence to treatment, and outcomes are key benefits.
• Learning enables healthcare professionals to stay up-to-date, adapting and improving based on advancements and experience. Teamwork, collaboration, and communication are also improved.

Learning in Action

• Patient Behavior:
  • Learning the benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes.
• Adherence to Treatment:
  • Educating patients on medication schedules and side effects.
• Professional Development:
  • Learning advanced diagnostic tools to enhance patient care.

Learning Styles

• Visual Learners: Prefer images, diagrams, and spatial understanding.
• Auditory Learners: Learn best through listening and verbal instructions.
• Kinesthetic Learners: Prefer hands-on activities and movement-based learning.
• Healthcare should adapt patient education to accommodate diverse learning preferences. (e.g. visually aided patient education for visual learners).

The Learning Process

• Stages of Learning: Acquisition (gaining new knowledge/skills), Retention (storing learned information), Application (using knowledge practically).
• Feedback: Essential for reinforcing or correcting understanding (e.g., peer reviews, supervisor feedback).

Learning Theories (Overview)

• Behaviorism: Focuses on observable behaviors, learning through reinforcement/punishment, and patient rewards for compliance.
• Cognitivism: Emphasizes mental processes like memory and understanding, exemplified by problem-solving in medical diagnoses.
• Constructivism: Learning as an active process of building knowledge, like case-based learning in medical education.
• Humanism: Focuses on personal growth, self-actualization (e.g., encouraging empathy in patient care).

Motivation in Learning

• Intrinsic Motivation: Driven by internal rewards (curiosity, passion).
• Extrinsic Motivation: Driven by external rewards (grades, promotions).

The Role of Experience

• Experiential Learning: Emphasizes learning through experience.
• Kolb's Learning Cycle: Concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, active experimentation. (Examples in healthcare include simulations in skill labs).

Transfer of Learning

• The ability to apply learned knowledge/skills to new situations.
• Healthcare examples: Applying classroom knowledge to clinical settings, using experience from one patient case to treat others.

Lifelong Learning

• Continuous learning throughout one's career.
• Healthcare importance: Keeping professionals updated on new research and treatments, improving patient outcomes.

The Role of Ethics in Learning

• Informed Consent: Patients must understand and willingly participate in treatments.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Adapting learning approaches to diverse backgrounds.
• Equity in Learning: Ensuring all patients and professionals have access to education and resources.
• Guarantees academic integrity in learning, honesty and fairness, intellectual property respect, recognizing contributions, innovation, inclusivity, equity, equal opportunities, and avoiding biases. Maintaining professionalism, accountability, ethical standards, ethical decision-making, critical thinking frameworks, and acting in ways that benefit society while avoiding harm. Promotes lifelong learning, adapting to change, building trust in educational systems. Protects vulnerable populations and respecting participants.

This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of learning as discussed in Lesson 06-Part 01 of the Medical Sciences program. Students will explore the definition of learning, its importance in healthcare, and how it affects patient behavior and adherence to treatment. Delve into both formal and informal learning concepts essential for healthcare professionals.