Experience-led learning, and the experience of teaching experience-led learning

Following an extensive qualitative evaluation of the Rural Stream of the Doctor of Medicine (MDRS) delivered through Flinders University in South Australia, clinical educators teaching into the program have been developing new teaching methods based on the educational principle of ‘experience-led learning’ (ELL), in which the rich experiences of students on longitudinal integrated curriculum (LIC) are foregrounded as the starting place for academically elaborating clinical skills and medical knowledge. The basic framework for ELL is: start with people’s actual experiences; anchor to relevant frameworks; elaborate with diverse contexts and perspectives; and identify new and needed skills and knowledge.