I was asked to write an essay for the International Journal of User-Driven Healthcare on postgraduate learning. Since the article is not available free open access, I have attached it here.
Abstract: Physicians spend many years immersed (drowning?) in their professional literature. There is no way anyone can keep up with it and most of it is, after all, forgettable, boring and sadly inaccurate. The attached essay’s thesis is that the arts (literature, music, fine art, film) are vitally important to one’s personal and professional development. They provide the Continuous Medical Inspiration that trumps the mandated Continuing Medical Education. Although the professional may not realize it, each of us has a personal canon comprised of those works of art that guide us in our daily lives. “Paper Teachers” covers, among other topics, thoughts on documenting one’s Personal Canon.
Download “Paper-Teachers_”_-Towards-a-True-Postgraduate-Education