Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
10:26
Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
What we don't know we are teaching: unveiling the hidden curriculum
1Wilson Centre for Research in Education, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|June 1, 2006
Summary
The hidden curriculum in surgical training transmits implicit values, influencing professionalism and potentially deterring candidates from orthopaedic surgery. Addressing these unintended messages is crucial for professional development and recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Professionalism Studies
Background:
- The "hidden curriculum" in surgical training involves the unintentional transmission of implicit beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
- This process is influenced by institutional values and the conduct of surgical educators and healthcare professionals.
- The hidden curriculum significantly impacts the development of professionalism among trainees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the hidden curriculum in surgical training.
- To examine its influence on professionalism and career choices, particularly in orthopaedic surgery.
- To emphasize the importance of conscious messaging in professional development and recruitment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on the hidden curriculum in medical and surgical education.
- Analysis of the impact of implicit messages on trainee development and career decisions.
- Discussion of strategies to mitigate negative influences and enhance positive aspects of the hidden curriculum.
Main Results:
- The hidden curriculum plays a critical role in shaping trainees' professional identity and behavior.
- Implicit messages can inadvertently discourage promising candidates from pursuing careers in fields like orthopaedic surgery.
- Unacknowledged biases and attitudes within the learning environment can negatively affect recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Surgical educators must be aware of and actively manage the hidden curriculum.
- Conscious efforts to transmit positive values are essential for fostering professionalism.
- Addressing the hidden curriculum is vital for attracting and retaining diverse talent in surgical specialties.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Hindsight Biases
Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did. Can you relate this to the phrase "Hindsight is 20/20" now?
01:22Purposive Learning
E. C. Tolman emphasized the purposiveness of behavior — the idea that much of our behavior is goal-directed. For instance, employees who aim for a promotion work diligently to meet their targets. Tolman argued that when classical conditioning and operant conditioning occur, the organism acquires certain expectations. In classical conditioning, a child might fear a dog because they expect it to bite. In operant conditioning, a person might consistently work overtime because they expect a bonus...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
01:15Subconsciousness and No Awareness
The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
01:13Nonconscious Mimicry
Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
01:14Understanding Deception
Deception is a pervasive aspect of human communication. Empirical studies have shown that most individuals engage in some form of deceit on a daily basis, with approximately 20% of social exchanges involving deceptive elements. Lying follows a developmental trajectory, peaking during adolescence and declining with age, possibly due to the maturation of cognitive control and social accountability.Cognitive and Social Factors in Deception DetectionDespite its prevalence, accurately detecting...