How to Teach Our Medical Students to Develop Metacognitive Skills? Practical Example Based on Teaching Management of Major Burns

Abstract

Metacognitive skills are imperative for enhancing students’ learning capacity in health professions education (HPE). To develop competent, self-regulated learners, metacognition is receiving increasing recognition and importance in HPE. What is metacognition? It refers to meaningful thinking about one’s own thinking processes. Mindful learners possess metacognitive skills and habits, which are essential for healthcare professionals. Medical teachers should have mastery of these skills and strive to inculcate them in their students. Explicit teaching of metacognitive skills supports the process of self-regulated learning. Medical teachers should integrate metacognition into their daily teaching routines and classroom discussions. This, in turn, will create a learning environment that significantly enhances students’ learning. The current review article has been written to comprehensively address the important aspects of teaching HPE students how to develop metacognitive skills and enhance mindfulness in learning.¹⁻³