Role of health science teachers and the development of their competences

Abstract

Education affects the social and cultural development of nations; therefore, significant achievements in the integral advance of society are expected from its improvement. Training of teachers in the field of health sciences education is crucial to enable them to confront the new challenges that arise worldwide and to maintain high quality standards. In this article the diverse parameters established to define the competences of health sciences teachers, their functions, and the activities necessary to fulfil their goals are analyzed, involving the different actors of the educational process. This model tries to generate higher quality learning processes, based on the needs of society, the development of the profession and of the academic work. To assume this responsibility the health sciences faculties need to redefine their educational projects and consistently promote actions that translate into real changes in the teaching practices. Therefore, it is important for teachers to be continuously involved in training activities to develop competences similar to those they expect their students to acquire.