The Role of Standardized Learners in the Acquisition of Teaching Skills Among Residents

Clinical residents play a crucial role in educating other healthcare professionals; however, formal training programs to develop teaching skills remain limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a "residents as teachers" course incorporating standardized learners (SLs) to enhance teaching competencies among clinical residents.

A single group pre-post intervention study was conducted with 38 second-year residents participating in the course between 2020 and 2023. Residents completed pre- and post-course assessments based on teaching entrustable professional activities (TEPAs). In addition, 26 residents completed a survey evaluating their perceptions of using SLs as a teaching and evaluation tool.

Residents in the 2023 study group showed notable improvements in most teaching competencies after the course. Median scores increased significantly in TEPA 01, 02, 03, 05, 06, and 08 ( P < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in TEPA 07, and a decrease was noted in TEPA 04. Boxplot analysis indicated not only performance gains but also greater consistency among residents after training. In addition, 92% of participants rated SLs as highly useful for developing teaching skills, supporting their use across various educational contexts such as student engagement, classroom teaching, and feedback delivery.

Integrating SLs into resident training programs offers a highly accepted and effective strategy to strengthen teaching competencies and boost resident confidence in educational roles. Future studies should explore the long-term impact of SL-based training on residents' teaching practices and student learning outcomes.