Joe Safdieh, MD — Educating Physician Educators

When Dr. Joe Safdieh was interviewing for his medical residency, he knew he wanted to teach, and he was surprised that when he disclosed his aspirations, interviewers would “look at me like I had three heads.” After all, didn’t all doctors want to focus on research or clinical work? 

Historically, medical education has been viewed as the “leftovers” -- the job that nobody wants. And that mentality is reflected in most medical education systems today. Thankfully, some institutions are giving education it’s due place at the table.

In today’s episode, Dr. Safdieh shares his vision of how we can better train our physicians to be better educators. After all, whether in the classroom or in the exam room, physicians are educating as they interact with junior physicians, colleagues, and patients. Dr. Safdieh also shares valuable advice for those physicians who have a desire, as he does, to teach.

• About Dr. Safdieh’s background and career path
• Why he chose to do his residency at Weill Cornell 
• Why education is often viewed as a third-best option among clinical work and research
• Why physicians are viewed as educators both in and out of the classroom
• About Efficacy in Training Programs, the book for which Dr. Safdieh was the editor

• Dr. Safdieh’s bio at Weill Cornell

• Handbook of Research on the Efficacy in Training Programs and Systems in Medical Education

• Find Dr. Safdieh on Twitter