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A suitable case for Technik: behavioural science in the postgraduate medical curriculum
Author(s) -
KELLY M. P.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1365-2923
pISSN - 0308-0110
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2923.1990.tb00012.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , behavioural sciences , humanism , audit , medical education , medical science , engineering ethics , psychology , medicine , pedagogy , political science , psychotherapist , management , engineering , law , economics
Summary The role of the behavioural and social sciences in the postgraduate medical curriculum is considered. It is argued that the behavioural and social sciences can play a vigorous and dynamic part both in medical education and in medical practice. However, in order for that role to be achieved a Technik approach must be adopted. Technik means an emphasis on know‐how, capability and on unifying theory and practice. It is suggested that the behavioural sciences frequently fail to excite interest because they adopt only a humanistic and/or critical approach at the expense of the needs of medical training. Some examples of a Technik approach drawn from health education, the management of chronic disease and surgical audit are briefly examined.