Expanding Free Open-Access Medical Education

Abstract

During my medical school cardiology placement, I remember our clinical tutor printing us out the cardiovascular examination checklist from Geeky MedicsÓ as our learning tool for the term. When I would study later for my pre-clinical exams, AmbossÓ and UpToDateÓ were the first and most useful resources that I looked at, rather than my course lectures. When I would study for finals, the advice from seniors was to get through the core lectures from the university quickly, and then to move onto online question banks. My experience was not unique; I would rather confidently say it characterised the learning and revision approach of most of my peers. The growing use of FOAM resources by students and the concerns justify the need for academic institutes to take an active role in developing them. Faculties should consider investing in developing FOAM resources to empower their faculty in adopting a new era and dominant pedagogy in medical education. This will not only benefit their own students, who are increasingly turning to such resources for their education, but also help these faculties become more active members in the global community of medical educators.