Inspire Through Clinical Teaching
Inspire Through Clinical Teaching is an interdisciplinary medical education programme dedicated to strengthening the teaching skills of healthcare professionals. It supports clinicians who teach others, whether in hospitals, universities or training programmes, by providing practical training, mentorship, and opportunities to develop as medical educators.
The programme was developed in 2016 by clinicians with expertise in both anaesthesia and medical education. It was created in response to a recognised gap in formal teaching skills training for healthcare professionals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where clinical services are often overstretched and opportunities for educator development are limited.
Our Programme
At the centre of Inspire Through Clinical Teaching is a four-day teaching skills course designed for healthcare professionals involved in clinical education. The course is interdisciplinary and brings together participants from multiple medical and allied health specialties to learn, practise, and reflect on effective teaching in clinical environments.
The course covers key aspects of clinical teaching, including:
- Lesson planning and writing learning objectives
- Teaching in small and large groups
- Teaching in clinical settings
- Simulation-based education
- Feedback and reflective practice
Teaching methods are interactive and varied, combining short lectures, group discussions, simulation, role-play, and peer teaching. Participants also have the opportunity to practise teaching sessions and receive structured feedback from both peers and experienced faculty.
The Inspire programme also includes conference workshops and faculty development events. In addition, the programme is currently being expanded to include online modules and a hybrid course.
Aims and Impact
The programme has three core aims:
- Improve the quality of clinical teaching among healthcare educators
- Develop future course faculty through mentorship and ongoing support
- Build networks of medical educators who can share experience and collaborate across disciplines and countries
By strengthening teaching skills, the programme helps clinicians not only educate more effectively but also develop leadership capabilities within training programmes, departments, and healthcare systems.
Faculty Development and Partnerships
Inspire Through Clinical Teaching works in collaboration with local training programmes and healthcare institutions.
Selected participants who demonstrate enthusiasm, skills, and progression in their teaching are invited to become faculty, receiving mentorship from course developers and opportunities to teach on future courses. Faculty development events, workshops, and online learning resources further support educators as they continue to develop their teaching practice.
Building a Global Community of Educators
Since its launch, Inspire Through Clinical Teaching has trained hundreds of healthcare professionals across multiple countries and disciplines. The programme continues to expand through partnerships, online training, and faculty development initiatives.
By supporting clinicians to become confident and skilled educators, Inspire Through Clinical Teaching contributes to stronger training programmes, better learning environments, and ultimately improved patient care.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Sonia Akrimi at sakrimi@doctors.org.uk
