title: Report on short course in educational methodology for university teachers in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) disciplines - a pilot study conducted at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing awareness among teachers in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) disciplines that a formal training in educational methodology can improve their performance as teachers and student evaluators. The Training of Trainers programs conducted by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, in the previous years have brought about a transformation among the teachers who attended those programs. Also the teachers were witness to a changing perception among students towards teachers who adapt innovative teaching/assessment strategies. This report illustrates an innovative training activity that was adapted to design a reference model that can be developed as an operational model for large-scale execution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teachers who are under the affiliated CAM Institutions in Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, participated in a three-month 'Short Course in Educational Methodology'. This program was delivered on distance learning mode. The course was organised into four modules. Study material was provided for each of the module in the form of a study guide and related reference articles in electronic form. There were three contact programs - Induction and Introduction that also addressed overview of entire course and the subject matter of Module 1, and this was at the beginning of the course, first contact program to address the learner needs of Modules 2 and 3 and second contact program for the contents in Module 4. The participants were engaged during the entire course duration with interactive contact programs, self-study and application of concepts in their teaching/assessment practices, submission of assignments online, and microteaching presentation and peer review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The documentation and raw data generated during the course of training were used to generate an operational model for training of university teachers of health sciences faculty in general and teachers of CAM disciplines in particular.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Establishing a model of training for university teachers who are engaged in health sciences education provides a strong platform to realise the roles of teacher, evolve as a conscientious and committed teacher and infuse their learners with passion and commitment to become competent in their professional performance.
authors.forename: Ahmed R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.forename: Kumar D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Prem
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000592:standards; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005178:Faculty; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*; D014495:Universities