Applying collaborativist theory to reenvision small-group learning in emergency medicine education

Small-group discussion is an instructional strategy that is increasingly incorporated in emergency medicine (EM) educational settings. Compared to individualistic learning, small-group education enables learners to compare and synthesize perspectives in collaboration with peers and educators. This fosters communication, team-building, and critical thinking skills that are essential in EM professional environments. To ensure these benefits are delivered to EM small-group learners, educators should utilize instructional strategies grounded in learning theory.

A workgroup from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Simulation Academy and Education Research Interest Group sought to develop theory-informed recommendations for EM educators to optimize small-group instruction. Workgroup members were faculty with undergraduate medical education and EM residency leadership roles, including the development and deployment of small-group education.

Through primary literature review and iterative discussion, the workgroup identified a suitable theoretical framework, collaborativism, that postulates that small-group learning occurs as learners advance from divergent to convergent thinking through discussion. Through this lens, discussion is the centerpiece of small-group learning, and educational interventions that improve the quality of discussion also improve the quality of learning.

Collaborativism-informed strategies to strengthen small-group learning were proposed, organized by instructional design, learner-learner interactions, and educator-learner interactions. These educational interventions focused on enhancing engagement, cooperativity, and critical thinking behaviors in small-group learners as they engage in discussion. Recommended strategies were synthesized into a 50-min workshop presented at the 2024 SAEM Annual Meeting.