being an adult learner

Five characteristics of adult learners (Knowles)

1. Adult learners move from dependence to self-direction in learning.
2. Adult learners have a rich reservoir of experience to apply to their learning.
3. Adult learners value learning that is relevant to their daily life.
4. Adult learners have a greater focus on problem-centered than on subject-centered learning.
5. Adult learners are motivated by internal rather than external motivators.

Thinking about this as an adult learner, I am particularly struck by number 2 and number 3. With this masters, I have been very concerned about relevance, and it is my experience that dictates what I find relevant.

"Today’s physicians continue to witness significant change in the nature of health care delivery. The roles of all health professionals, hospitals, patients, funding bodies, and governments are evolving at a hurried pace. Practice is changing daily, with literally thousands of medical journals documenting our evolving understanding of biological, social, and clinical sciences. Patients are treated in more diversified settings. They spend less time in hospitals, and those who are there are older and sicker. We live in an era with a rising emphasis on accountability and a declining appreciation of professionals and various authorities. Never has the true nature of a physician been such at risk. The question arises, as it did at the Royal College at the beginning of the 1990s: “How can we best prepare physicians to be effective in this environment and truly meet the needs of their patients?”" (Page One, CanMEDS 2005).

My question: what does it mean, "Never has the true nature of a physician been such at risk?" What is the true nature of a physician anyway? And is that even proper English?

CanMEDS

For the first week, we were asked to look at a document from our field that provides an over-arching educational structure. CanMEDS seemed like the logical choice. It was good to actually look at it in detail, because to be honest, it's one of those things that I've never really taken the time to read.