Clinical teaching models for the instruction of healthcare trainees in the 21st century: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: In the 21st century, health professions educators are required to adopt contemporary clinical teaching models that equip trainees with competencies that are responsive to the evolving healthcare needs of the population. Efforts to standardize clinical competencies across the globe further demand aligned pedagogical frameworks to guide clinical teaching across diverse contexts. However, evidence on such remains fragmented and inadequately synthesized. This study mapped existing evidence on models guiding clinical teaching of healthcare trainees in the 21st century. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guideline. Electronic database searches were conducted between 1st and 4th January 2026 in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Informit to identify articles published from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2025. Grey literature searches were conducted in google scholar and ProQuest. Studies were screened at title, abstract and full text levels, and data were extracted using a standardized Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction tool. Data was analyzed descriptively and summarized in a tabular form. ARTICLE IN PRESS Results: The search yielded 3,526 records, of which 70 went through full text screening and 26 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in the United States, with none from Africa, and involved medical students. Eight clinical teaching models were mapped: i) One 1 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ARTICLE IN PRESS Minute Preceptor Model (OMP); ii) Summarize, Narrow, Analyze, Probe, Plan, Select (SNAPPS); iii) Setting foundation, Tutor demonstrating without commentary, Explaining with repeated demonstration, Practicing under supervision, and Subsequent practice (STEPS); iv) Meeting, Introduction, In the moment, Inspection, Interruption, Independent thought, Patient care, Learner’s questions, Attending agenda, and Next steps (MiPLAN); v) Bridge-in, Objectives, Pre-assessment, Participatory learning, Post-assessment, and Summary (BOPPPS); vi) Emergency Department Strategies for Teaching Any Time (ED STAT); vii) Reporter Interpreter-Manager-Educator (RIME); and viii) Aunt Minnie. OMP and SNAPPS were the most commonly reported models. Conclusions and recommendations: Although eight clinical teaching models were identified, supporting evidence remains geographically and methodologically uneven, with no single model emerging as universally applicable. However, structured teaching, learner engagement, reflection, feedback, and role modelling consistently appeared across the identified models as core microteaching skills. Clinical educators and training institutions should strengthen these competencies through faculty development and context-sensitive application of clinical teaching models. Future research should prioritize methodologically rigorous and contextually grounded studies on clinical teaching models, particularly in underrepresented low-resource settings.