Farewell to an Era: The Final Episode of the Papers Podcast Dear Listeners, After more than a decade of insightful discussions, laughter, and learning, we are both excited and a bit teary-eyed to bring you the final episode of the Papers Podcast. This isn't just an episode; it's a heartfelt celebration of our journey together. From our humble beginnings recording in hotel rooms to becoming a beloved source of knowledge and camaraderie in the medical education community, we've cherished every mom...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast How can we make assessments truly equitable? In this episode, Lara dives into a paper that explores fairness, inclusion, and justice as three distinct approaches to equity in assessment. Discover how these orientations can reshape our goals, strategies, and impact in education. This episode unpacks critical frameworks that empower educators to reflect on critically and reimagine assessment systems. Episode host: Lara Varpio. Episode article :Anderson, H. L. K., Govaerts, M., Abdulla, L., Balmer,...
Jan 21, 2025•31 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when we set our hosts loose to pick their must-read list of 2024 from papers that didn’t make it into the episodes for all kinds of reasons? You get “Wrapping Papers,” a special year-end episode where Jason, Lara, Linda, and Jon share their favorites with you. This episode is a celebration of the scholarship that inspires us—and you. Tune in for lively discussions, shared insights, and a reminder of why this work matters so much. You can find the papers, summary of the discussion an...
Jan 07, 2025•43 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to a special Holiday Episode of the PAPERs Podcast! In this fun and festive episode, the hosts bring their quirkiest and most unconventional academic papers to the table, sharing surprising insights and plenty of laughs along the way. The hosts have scoured the academic universe to bring you the following: How alcohol might just help you solve creative problems. Why eating chocolate could potentially make you a Nobel laureate. How side effects of placebos can enhance their perceived effe...
Dec 23, 2024•23 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast #76 – A review on modern teaching and learning techniques in medical education Are your students truly engaged? In this episode, the hosts dive into a micro-monograph that shakes up stale teaching techniques by showcasing fresh, student-centered methods that go way beyond the classic lecture snooze-fest. With plenty of laughs and a dash of nostalgia, they share their own teaching experiments, swapping old-school habits for bold, adaptable approaches to keep both educators and students on their t...
Dec 17, 2024•35 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast #75 - Hot for Teacher Are we all insane? Given all the contemporary challenges and frictions at work, why do we teach? This episode unpacks the critical factors behind teacher motivation and delivers evidence-based strategies to inspire, recruit, and retain top educators in the health professions using Self Determination Theory. Episode host: Jason R. Frank. Episode article : Orsini, C., Imafuku, R., Jennings, B., Neufeld, A., Tricio, J., & Kusurkar, R. A. (2024). What influences clinical ed...
Dec 03, 2024•40 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast Feeling lost in the world of literature reviews? Choosing the right type can be overwhelming, from systematic to scoping, realist to narrative. In this episode, Lara breaks it down with clarity. Learn how to navigate the objectivist–subjectivist continuum, align your review to your research goals, and uncover tools that make the process easier. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this guide is your roadmap to impactful literature reviews. Episode host: Lara Varpio. You find episo...
Nov 26, 2024•18 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how your first impressions as a clinical supervisor shape your evaluations? This episode uncovers the findings from a recent study on the role of first impressions in performance-based assessments. Learn how explicit and implicit biases can affect your judgment and what you can do to ensure fair and accurate evaluations. Don’t miss this essential discussion on improving your assessment practices! Episode host: Linda Snell You can find episode notes and resources at the Papers Podca...
Nov 19, 2024•37 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast #72 - Is This Program Competency-based? In this episode, Jason is tackling a big question in health education: what does it really mean for a program to be "competency-based"? With competency-based education (CBE) becoming a global standard in health professions, the episode breaks down what makes a program truly CBE, from focusing on outcomes and skill progression to using tailored learning experiences and programmatic assessments. Listeners get a clear guide to spotting whether a curriculum is...
Nov 12, 2024•21 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast #67 - UPDATED - In this episode, Lara leads a conversation about AI and the current body of knowledge about AI that is growing rapidly in Medical Education. Everything you need to know about AI in MedEd is in this paper! Don't miss out—listen now to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field! Plus, check out the detailed speaker notes for more insights. Episode host: Lara Varpio. You can find episode notes and resources at the Papers Podcast episode website. Episode article: Gordon, M., Daniel, M...
Nov 04, 2024•36 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast Live Fast and Die-Hard: Finding Heroic Career Paths in Training Stories This week, Jason’s paper dives into how health professionals find their career paths. Learn about die-hards, negotiators, migrants, and how Jon almost joined the clergy. Episode host: Jason R. Frank You can find episode notes and resources at the Papers Podcast episode website . Episode article:Rozario, S. Y., Farlie, M. K., Sarkar, M., & Lazarus, M. D. (2024). The die‐hards , negotiators and migrants : Portraits of doct...
Oct 22, 2024•36 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast #69 – Three Years to MD: Does It Measure Up? In this episode, we’re diving into the age-old question: is a three-year medical school program just as good as the traditional four-year track? The researchers compared the residency performance of graduates from both programs and found no significant differences, suggesting that you might not need that extra year after all—unless you’re really keen on more electives! Episode host: Jonathan Sherbino. You can find episode notes and resources at the Ep...
Oct 15, 2024•31 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast #68 - Clinician educators may have similar training content-wise, but the application of that training in widely varied contexts can lead to different outcomes in the stature, roles and recognition of educators. Faculty development initiatives should be co-developed and context sensitive. Episode host: Linda Snell You can find episode notes and resources at the Papers Podcast episode website . Episode article: Hu, W. C.-Y., Nguyen, V. A. T., Nguyen, N. T., & Stalmeijer, R. E. (2023). Becomin...
Oct 08, 2024•41 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast #67 - In this episode, Lara leads a conversation about AI and the current body of knowledge about AI that is growing rapidly in Medical Education. Everything you need to know about AI in MedEd is in this paper! Don't miss out—listen now to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field! Plus, check out the detailed speaker notes for more insights. Episode host: Lara Varpio. You can find episode notes and resources at the Papers Podcast episode website. Episode article: Gordon, M., Daniel, M., Ajiboye...
Oct 01, 2024•34 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast #66 - In this episode, we explore the challenges medical educators face while grading students across diverse settings in the Global South. With a mix of personal quirks, varying levels of confidence, and unpredictable environments, the grading process goes beyond simply assessing knowledge. It’s about navigating complexities and adapting to ever-changing circumstances. Join us as we uncover the intricacies of assessment, the impact of context, and the balancing act between intention and reality...
Sep 24, 2024•35 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast 65 - The growth mindset, which involves learning from mistakes, is a crucial part of professional development for both trainees and seasoned practitioners. This episode explores how experienced clinicians reflect on both their errors and successes to enhance their practice. Tune in for insights into competencies, developmental arcs, and the nuances of educational excellence. Episode host: Linda Snell. You can find episode notes and resources at this episode website Episode article: Kotwal, S., H...
Sep 17, 2024•41 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast 64 - Learners Got Talent? Can innate talent be distinguished from hard-earned skills? Over recent decades, much has been written about the learner in difficulty, but what about the exceptional learner? Jason introduces a paper that spotlights the “talented” trainee Tune in for insights into competencies, developmental arcs, and the nuances of educational excellence. Episode host: Jason R. Frank You can find episode notes and resources at the episode website Episode article: Mand, G., Nijhawan, M...
Sep 10, 2024•51 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast 63 - You can’t handle my truth This episode, hosted by Lara Varpio, tackles the pressing issue of mental illness among physicians and trainees—a crisis that remains hidden due to fear and stigma. We examine a crucial study that uncovers the obstacles to self-disclosure in medical training and highlights the ways we can better support those who care for us. Listen in for a powerful discussion on breaking down the barriers to mental health in medicine. Note: This episode may be triggering for some...
Sep 03, 2024•29 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast #62 Host Linda Snell are today doing a "consult"; digging a bit deeper into a subject. Explore this guide on faculty development featuring the Four-Quadrant Model by Yvonne Steinert.. Whether you're an educator or a faculty developer, this resource will help you design impactful programs and engage in meaningful professional growth. For all those links and articles that are mentioned in the episode, please take a look at the episode webpage Episode Host: Linda Snell Episode article Steinert, Y. ...
Aug 27, 2024•13 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast #61 LIVE Session – Getting Realist with New Medical Schools—8C’s for Success But how are new medical schools successfully established? You would think this Herculean institution-building would induce a large body of literature about med-school-making but there is a big gap in the literature. In fact, the authors of today’s paper assert that there is little published empirical evidence to date, nor any theory brought to bear on this phenomenon. The authors chose a Critical Realist lens and Instit...
Aug 20, 2024•38 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast #60 - How learners choose a digital resource to support their learning Back in the days, “I read it somewhere” was an acceptable reference to authority. Today, highly intelligent, motivated, thoughtful, and critical health professionals are more likely to say, “I heard it on a podcast,” as an equivalent gesture to authority, but how do residents and clinical educators explicitly choose resources that fit their lifestyle and learning needs? Episode host: Jonathan Sherbino You find the episode not...
Aug 13, 2024•38 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast 59 - There’s a place for us, somewhere In this episode, Lara leads a discussion about how authors decide between journals when they are making submissions. With conversation about preprints, factors shaping decisions, and a curated set of resources every author needs, this is a not-to-be-missed episode. For all those links and articles that are mentioned in the episode, please take a look at the episode webpage Episode Host: Lara Varpio Episode article Maggio, L. A., Chtena, N., Alperin, J. P., ...
Jul 02, 2024•40 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast #58 - Can the impact on education be measured on patient outcomes? In this episode the hosts take the hotly debate with a recent study published in Jama to their help. Tune in for a discussion that challenges both your workload memory and examines the real-world implications of education in healthcare. Episode host: Jonathan Sherbino You find the episode notes on the website Episode article: Gray, B. M., Vandergrift, J. L., Stevens, J. P., Lipner, R. S., McDonald, F. S., & Landon, B. E. (202...
Jun 25, 2024•39 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we talk about curriculum renewal from a different angle: What happens to the educator’s identity when major reform is undertaken? What happens to that identity when content expertise is only part of what is now required? Episode host: Lara Varpio You find the episode notes on the website Episode article: Volschenk, M., & Hansen, A. (2024). Medical teachers’ identity learning during major curriculum renewal: A landscapes of practice perspective. Medical Teacher, 1–7. PAPERs P...
Jun 18, 2024•32 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast #56 This episode contributes to the understanding of medical education's complex organizational structures. The hosts are discussing different ways of looking at it, and is it all in the name? Or perhaps on what they do? Episode host: Linda Snell You find the episode notes on the website Episode article: Kerns, S. C., Beck Dallaghan, G. L., Borges, N. J., & Huggett, K. N. (2023). Where Do We Go From Here? An Inventory of Publicly Available Data About Educator Academies, Medical Education Dep...
Jun 11, 2024•38 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast #55 The Toll of the Trolls Join the PAPERs Podcast team as they dissect a groundbreaking study on professional identity formation (PIF) in surgical residency. Discover how specific "role model moments" shape the development of surgical residents, influencing their personal and professional identities in profound ways. Our expert hosts dive into the emotional impact of both positive and negative experiences with role models, introducing memorable concepts like "role (troll) model moments." Episod...
Jun 04, 2024•37 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Sample size is a crucial aspect of research design, particularly in experimental studies. It influences the reliability and validity of the study outcomes. Here, Lara and Jon will break down some key concepts and methods related to determining and calculating sample size, power analysis and practical implications. Episode hosts: Jonathan Sherbino and Lara Varpio You find notes and references in the episode webpage PAPERs Podcast are Hosts: Lara Varpio, Jason Frank, Jonathan Sherbino, Linda Snell...
May 28, 2024•29 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast #53 - No free lunch v. I’m in debt and hungry: The Debate on Industry and Education. The episode highlights that a resident's specialty and the type of training institution, might just tip the scales on whether they snag a free lunch from the big pharma. Jon presents a thought-provoking paper from JAMA that explores the financial connections between residents and the pharmaceutical industry, raising questions about ethics and the impact on professional identity. The team discusses whether guidel...
May 21, 2024•29 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Join us as we explore the flip side of the coin, shedding light on what truly brings us happiness and fulfillment at work. Discover insights from the PERMA model and uncover strategies for cultivating joy in your own professional journey. It's time to shift the focus from despair to wellness. Episode host: Linda Snell Episode notes on the webpage Episode article: Lagina, M., Grum, C., Sandhu, G., & Ruff, A. L. (2024). Sources of Joy in Medical Educators as Described by the PERMA Model. Teach...
May 14, 2024•29 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast Can the calls for evidence-based improvement in HPE be answered by big national datasets? Do we know what works in HPE/meded? Does our training “work”? Is one institution or curriculum better than another? What does “better” mean anyway? Follow this discussion lead by Jason R. Frank that has taken on an article that analyse how datapoints from graduate medical education might be able to improve that same education. Is it possible? What are the implications? Hear what our hosts thinks. Episode ar...
May 07, 2024•37 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast 
