In healthcare, clinical expertise alone is not always enough. Many professionals must also effectively teach and translate their knowledge to others in ways that ensure the best outcomes for patients, their peers, and future practitioners.

Imagine how a physician supervising residents must not only know the correct procedures, but also explain the rationale behind them, give effective feedback, and assess learning. Or, how a hospital must determine whether a training program designed to enhance performance among new nurses is actually working.

Both scenarios require an understanding of how adults learn and retain information, and yet few healthcare professionals receive formal training in how to do it well.

A new Master of Education in Health Professions Education (MEHPE) program – offered in partnership through Miami’s College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) and Cleveland Clinic Education– will now provide these skills.

“When we think about educators, we often think generically about classroom settings,” said Kevin Bush, professor of Educational Psychology and MEHPE program director. “We don't think about professionals who are also educators in the business or healthcare worlds. But understating effective education principles is important for all industries.”

In healthcare especially, as one of the fastest growing industries today, there is an increasing need to intentionally design, evaluate, and improve training and practice. Applying sound educational principles helps ensure that programs are effective, which directly translates to enhanced care for patients, safety among staff, and measurable improvements across the system.

To meet that need, MEHPE prepares healthcare professionals to become intentional educators focused on real-world applications in clinical environments. The degree program provides the practical skills and learning theories typically reserved for trained educators, while creating opportunities for participants to apply that knowledge directly to the professional roles they already hold.

Miami University EHS Faculty at the the Cleveland Clinic

MEHPE also expands an existing partnership between Miami University and Cleveland Clinic, which already includes efforts to explore the frontiers of quantum computing and to train the next generation of healthcare workers.

“The MEHPE program is a key component of one of our strategic priorities in Education at Cleveland Clinic, namely education as a talent pipeline,” said James K. Stoller, MD, MS, Chief of Education. “By engaging Cleveland Clinic caregivers and others, we are developing a cadre of talented educators who can advance our mission of ‘educating those who serve’ with excellence.”

Starting this fall, MEHPE will be available as a virtual, synchronous two-year program open to any healthcare-related professionals who wish to participate. Courses will be taught by EHS faculty from Educational Psychology and Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, along with Cleveland Clinic faculty.

“MEHPE is designed to give professionals a true educator identity,” said Cecile Foshee, PhD, faculty at Cleveland Clinic. “With an understanding of learning theories, they will know why and how they should teach to meet different learning needs. Knowing how to teach will make them more effective, allow them to reach broader audiences, and cross professional boundaries.”

"It really helps round off our leadership," Bush said. "EHS already has programs that help teachers, principals and other school professionals, higher education professionals, those in public health, and in helping professions. And this brings it full circle by also providing health professionals with opportunities to become better educators, especially with adult learning, which is the primary focus here.”

Healthcare has always depended on ongoing education. But the complexity of society today, combined with the pace of innovation, and along with the need for professionals to collaborate across different areas makes it more vital than ever.

This is another challenge MEHPE is designed to address.

“It’s an exciting opportunity because healthcare professionals truly need to work together, and this program builds an interprofessional understanding across disciplinary boundaries,” said EHS Dean Amity Noltemeyer. “Collaborating with Cleveland Clinic also creates a powerful opportunity for professionals to apply what they learn directly to their work by sharing knowledge with patients, medical students, or other healthcare professionals.”

Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Cleveland Clinic or the College of Education, Health, and Society? Visit their website for more information.