ICE blog and the KeyLIME podcast

As a FOAM-embracing Clinician Educator it is heartening to see the rise of high quality FOAM resources designed to help educators, not just those they educate. Of course, we are all students really, but I think this is further evidence that FOAM is coming of age. A prime example is the ICE blog.

I have been meaning to shine the LITFL spotlight onto the ICE blog for sometime now. This is the blog of the International Clinician Educators Network and is overseen by renowned Clinician Educator, Jonathan Sherbino. The blog features numerous authors from around the world writing about diverse aspects of medical education. It is a great way to keep up with key topics in clinical education and always has something to teach even the most learned teacher.

Here are five examples of posts from the ICE blog:

• EDUCATION THEORY FOR THE CLINICIAN – many might think it a poisoned chalice to be tasked with speaking on this topic to a multi-disciplinary, multi-specialty audience at SMACC. Not Jonathan Sherbino, he turned it into the education-interested clinician’s Holy Grail instead! His talk is a superb, brief guide to what works in clinical education and why. This is the blogpost that goes with it, packed with useful links and resources.
• ICE BOOK REVIEW: PEAK – SECRETS FROM THE NEW SCIENCE OF EXPERTISE – I picked this post for two reasons. First, it is an example of a nice series of book review posts that Rob Cooney has contributed to the ICE blog. Rob has an eye for interesting books and nicely captures the essence of the books he reviews. If only time really was but a quotient!… Then I would have read them all. Secondly, ‘Peak’ is a “must read” popularisation of Ericcson’s work on deliberate practice by the man himself. His ideas and work have profoundly influenced me so I can happily back up Rob’s recommendation.
• EDUCATION THEORY MADE PRACTICAL: SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING – This is part of the ‘Education Theory Made Practical’ series that makes these usually obfuscated topics more accessible and understandable. Where was this series ten years ago?! The posts are worth scanning for their references and recommended further reading alone. This one, on self-directed learning, is of particular interest for anyone who uses FOAM resources.
• IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LEARNS, THEN IT’S EDUCATION – Daniel Cabrera is an emergency physician and an inspiring and innovative clinical education thinker. He is also a bit of a gaming ‘nut’ – as anyone who saw his dasSMACC anaphylaxis talk will have guessed… This post explains what’s worth knowing about gaming from an educator’s perspective and provides a useful, accessible overview of what makes a good medical education game. More food for thought!
• A SIMULATION DEBRIEF….. WITHOUT THE SIMULATION? – this one is ‘hot of the press’ and written by one of my role models and inspirations, Victoria Brazil. Tapping into concepts developed by others, including Walter Eppich, Victoria writes on how the simulation debriefing skillset can be applied in the clinical environment. In situ simulation without the simulation, coaching conversations, peer-assisted learning… It is brimming with exciting concepts that could really make a difference to patient care at the bedside. I love this stuff!

But wait, there’s more…

The real jewel in the crown of the ICE blog is the KeyLIME podcast series. This presented by the Canadian clinical education triumvirate of Jason Frank, Linda Snell, and Jonathan Sherbino. Needless to say, subscription to this podcast should be a mandatory requirement for clinician educators and CE-wannabees.

Why?

KeyLIME is ‘Key Literature In Medical Education’. Twice a month, the podcast delivers a systematic, rigorous appraisal of a new addition to the medical education literature. This is the most pain-free way to stay up-to-date there is, and you’ll pick up plenty of tips for refining your ‘critical eye’ along the way.

Hopefully, that’s enough to convince you to check out the ICE blog and the KeyLIME podcast stat!

Disclaimer: I am one of the co-creators of the SMACC conference mentioned in this blogpost.