Theory in medical education

This chapter asserts that "there is nothing more practical than a good theory" and as professional practice is better understood, theory will both inform practice and to be informed by it. Already, a body of theory has accumulated which can inform practice, and the author shows this by reviewing conclusions drawn from his earlier monograph on the application of eight educational theories to medical education. This is followed by a discussion of three different theories: cognitive apprenticeship, multiple intelligences, and conditions of learning. A brief overview is provided of each of these theories followed by a discussion of their implications for educational practice, including a specific example for each drawn from medical education.