Health professions education as a discipline: Evidence based on Krishnan's framework

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Academic Disciplines
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• Health Professions Education (HPE) emerged as a distinct field in the 1960s.
• HPE has seen advanced training and dedicated offices globally.
• Establishing HPE programs faces challenges in proving its disciplinary status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present arguments supporting Health Professions Education as an academic discipline.
• To utilize Krishnan's framework for validating HPE's disciplinary status.
• To aid institutions in establishing HPE offices and advanced training programs.

Main Methods:

• Application of Krishnan's six-characteristic framework for academic disciplines.
• Analysis of HPE against criteria including object of study, specialized knowledge, theories, terminology, research methods, and institutional presence.
• Review of existing literature and institutional practices in HPE.

Main Results:

• Health Professions Education meets the criteria to be recognized as a distinct academic discipline.
• Krishnan's framework provides a clear methodology for demonstrating disciplinary status.
• Evidence supports HPE's unique body of knowledge, theories, methods, and institutional presence.

Conclusions:

• Health Professions Education possesses the defining characteristics of an academic discipline.
• Formal recognition of HPE as a discipline will support its growth and institutionalization.
• This validation is crucial for the development of HPE offices and advanced training.