Narrative review demonstrates improved clinical performance and patient outcomes in healthcare trainees, indicating the translational value of mastery learning.
Key Points
To review the evidence showing how medical education incorporating mastery learning and deliberate practice translates into improved clinical care and population health outcomes.
Synthesized findings from translational educational and health services research programs focused on mastery learning (ML) and deliberate practice (DP) paradigms.
Evaluated the application of simulation technologies and rigorous competence-based assessments across procedural, cognitive, and affective medical training domains.
Mastery learning and deliberate practice produced sustained procedural skill acquisition with minimal decay across clinical tasks such as central venous catheter insertion and advanced cardiac life support.
Translational medical education programs were associated with downstream clinical improvements, including reduced catheter-related bloodstream infections, lower cataract surgery complications, and fewer neonatal birth injuries.