This past summer, in a blog I wrote about the importance of learning and working environments, I mentioned the recommendations from the Macy Foundation’s April conference, “Improving Environments for Learning in the Health Professions.” Amy Barton, a panelist at the Consortium’s own conference in June, was an invited participant at the Macy Foundation event.

I was curious about what struck her the most about the discussions at the Macy Conference.  It was definitely a high-level discussion, she noted, revolving around analyzing commissioned papers about theories of learning and instruction. But what impressed her the most was the persistent focus on the social component of learning—on community—and on the importance of creating environments that are nurturing.

I asked Amy to join me and write a blog about these ideas.  She begins by talking about loggerhead turtles (!); describes the four characteristics of learning environments; relates all that to the Johns Hopkins Civility Project; and wraps it up with a closing quote from the conference.

Throughout the Consortium’s 2018 First Annual Conference, we heard about emerging best practices in postgraduate NP training, interprofessional training and practice, and the national landscape for workforce development.  There were collegial breakouts on curriculum, evaluation, mentorship, on creating and sharing evidence, and on being a program director.  As we work to create the learning environments we need, we are weaving the fabric of excellence.  A common thread in our community is sharing – connectedness.

And it’s in the air.  In April, the Macy Foundation sponsored a conference on Improving Environments for Learning in the Health Professions.  Representatives from all the health professions, educators, practitioners, administrators and researchers convened to identify and disseminate best practices through “actionable recommendations” focused on improving learning.  They identified current state research and practice in health professionals’ education, and developed actions to improve that education.