ABSTRACT
The success of a clinical intervention will often depend upon the time and care taken in the initial assessment. In the same way, the success of a teaching session depends on the time and care taken in the initial planning. Excessive planning and rehearsal can increase the time commitment involved in teaching, to the point of acting as a deterrent for busy clinicians. However, efficient planning is essential for good quality education, bringing benefits to both teacher and learner. Effective planning increases the teacher's confidence that: the aims and objectives of the session are clear, a competent and enthusiastic teaching style will be presented and the skills of members of the teaching team have been pooled and shared. Certain kinds of teaching activities are best delivered in certain kinds of environment. Planning needs to occur in both team and individual settings.
