Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 30, No. 2, 168,
June 2003
© 2003 British Orthodontic Society
A Handbook for Medical Teachers, 4th edn
David Newble, Robert Cannon Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht 2001 222 pages, hardback, £27 ISBN 0792370929
R G Oliver
This is now the fourth edition of a classic text that first appeared about 20 years ago. Then it was a leader in the field, easily achieved by being the only one in the field. It has taken a remarkably long time for other books aimed at helping medical teachers improve their techniques and understand educational methods to appear, but it now has rivals. How does it compare to the competition?
It has retained the open style on the page, with a large font. The summary and hints and tips boxes, bulleted lists and margin illustrations by Zig Kapleis make this an easy and entertaining book to read. It is full of information that the newly appointed lecturer will find invaluable. The text is fairly didactic, but does not have the breadth and depth of a couple of its newer rivals. However, at the end of each chapter there is a Guided Reading section that suggests sources of information that are both relevant and up-to-date. If the reader follows these references, she/he will become aware of the ‘shades of grey’ that accompany every academic endeavour, but perhaps only those with an interest in developing further their expertise in education will need to consult these other sources. For those who want a primer in educational techniques, this is a mid-range priced book that will satisfy that need.
