Module 7: Teaching in the Inpatient Setting

The Environment

Inpatient wards are generally organized chaos. Numerous healthcare professionals and others work in the same general area. Ideally, the there will be a private, quiet area near the patient care areas for teaching.

The convenience of being in close proximity to patients exposes the learners to numerous interruptions from pagers, phones, nurses and other physicians. During the dedicated teaching times, interruptions should be kept to a minimum if possible. This requires frequent reminders to others that teaching time is important time and should only be interrupted for emergencies whether in the conference room or at the bedside.