Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Eye-tracking Technology and Data-mining Techniques used for a Behavioral Analysis of Adults engaged in Learning Processes
Published on: June 10, 2021
Physicians as Teachers and Lifelong Learners
Mao Ding1, Oksana Babenko, Sudha Koppula
1Ms. Ding: Undergraduate Student in the Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. At the time of this research, Ms. Ding worked as a Summer Research Student, leading this research study under the supervision of Dr. Babenko at the Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Babenko: Assistant Professor, Medical Education, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Koppula: Associate Professor, Director of Faculty Development, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Oswald: Associate Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Dr. White: Professor, Endowed Chair of Surgical Education, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
Physician lifelong learning is enhanced by satisfying psychological needs at work and involvement in clinical teaching. These factors correlate with life satisfaction and teaching enjoyment, not burnout.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Physician Well-being
- Lifelong Learning
Background:
- Sustained motivation is crucial for lifelong learning in physicians.
- Physician well-being and patient care quality depend on factors like stress, burnout, and life satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the links between psychological need satisfaction, clinical teaching involvement, and lifelong learning in physicians.
- To examine associations between physician lifelong learning and well-being indicators (stress, burnout, teaching enjoyment, life satisfaction).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 202 practicing Canadian physicians.
- Survey methodology using validated scales for lifelong learning, psychological need satisfaction, clinical teaching, stress, burnout, and life satisfaction.
- Data analyzed using analysis of covariance and correlational analysis.
Main Results:
- Physicians reported moderate to high levels of lifelong learning, psychological need satisfaction, teaching enjoyment, and life satisfaction.
- Greater psychological need satisfaction and involvement in clinical teaching were significantly associated with higher lifelong learning.
- Physician lifelong learning positively correlated with life satisfaction and teaching enjoyment, but not with stress or burnout.
Conclusions:
- Fulfilling physicians' psychological needs and supporting their teaching roles can enhance lifelong learning.
- Enhancing physician lifelong learning is likely to improve the quality of patient care.
Related Concept Videos
Milgram's Obedience to Authority
Bullying
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
The Representativeness Heuristic
Regression Toward the Mean

