Time-limited medical coaching @LAS

By Loren Deutsch

The LAS coaching model is an evidence-based approach to academic support and wellness in medical education. It integrates study skills development and mentorship to support students and residents in learning how to learn in medical education. Although many who study in medical education are accustomed to high academic achievement and have the ability to understand and cultivate their medical knowledge, some encounter academic difficulties, particularly on high stakes exams. Since comprehension is typically not the primary reason for academic difficulty, content-based tutoring is often insufficient in addressing learning and achievement challenges, particularly when there are additional intervening factors such as stress and test-taking anxiety. Tutoring often focuses on knowledge and comprehension deficits or test preparation, but not the underlying difficulties seen with cognitive challenges, learning disabilities, or emotional stressors. Furthermore, students and residents in difficulty are often relying on low-level study skills, such as rote memorization, to learn and self-manage the volume of information they must synthesize in a highly compressed timeframe.

Therefore, in order address the complex and higher order thinking skills needed in medical education, LAS has developed one-on-one medical coaching models that emphasize study skills development, accountability, emotional support, self-reflection, empirical progress tracking, and wellness. This process-oriented approach is predicated on learning how to learn (and achieve) so students and residents deepen their medical knowledge, professional skills, and clinical reasoning.

All LAS services begin with intake coordination and a proposed study plan that includes identified resources, strategies for reading and test-taking, progress monitoring, and measurable outcomes. Using the shared LAS Progress Tracker, the LAS medical coach utilizes a collaborative space to establish accountability and track empirical information. The LAS Coaching Model includes open-ended coaching, 10-session coaching, and 5-session coaching.

The LAS 10-session medical coaching model is an integrated academic support model that includes two phases. Phase I involves the medical coaching meetings, individual education planning, and weekly support. Meetings are pre-scheduled with the medical coach and meet consecutively for one hour once a week, beginning with intake coordination. Medical coaching meetings applicable to exam preparation or remediation, culminate 7-10 days before a scheduled exam. During Phase I, students and residents learn to establish a study routine, complete daily and weekly goals, and engage in self-reflection strategies that support reading and test-taking. Phase II begins at the conclusion of the medical coaching meetings and includes an independent self-study and wellness plan to help maintain progress and continue developing as a learner. Since the 10-session model is often used for test preparation and remediation LAS recommends scheduling one-on-one medical coaching approximately 3 months before the exam date.

The LAS 5-session medical coaching model is a more brief, integrated academic support model that includes two phases. Phase I involves the medical coaching meetings, individual education planning, and weekly support. Meetings are pre-scheduled with the medical coach and meet consecutively for one hour once a week, beginning with intake coordination. Medical coaching meetings applicable to exam preparation or remediation, culminate at least 4 weeks before a scheduled exam. During Phase I, students and residents are expected to maintain and update the shared LAS Progress Tracker and complete daily/weekly goals and self-reflection activities** (as described in the individual education plan). Written reports with proposed education plan and weekly progress notes are available upon request, otherwise individual education planning and weekly goals are communicated within the LAS Progress Tracker. Phase II is an independent self-study and wellness plan to maintain progress, continue developing self-study and self-management skills, and enhance achievement. Since the 5-session model is often used for test preparation and remediation and is time-sensitive, LAS strongly recommends scheduling one-on-one medical coaching 1-3 months before the exam date, depending on previous preparation and fund of knowledge.

For more information about LAS medical coaching please contact our office.

847-446-5822 or contactus@lorenacademic.com.