Mindsets in Health Professions: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The growth mindset model has been linked with enhancing academic success in college students. A scoping review was conducted detailing evidence of the growth mindset model's application in health professions. Databases searched included: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, Conference Papers Index, Embase, and Education Database. A hand search was also carried out. 1296 articles were reviewed. Inclusion/exclusion resulted in 22 articles from health professions articles: medical education (10), nursing (3), veterinary (3), pharmacy (2), physiotherapy (1), and general health professions education (3). This study demonstrated that fixed mindset student learners may avoid constructive feedback, hide errors, and express negative maladaptive behaviors that threaten their learning. To cultivate an adaptive lifelong learning health professional, the growth mindset model shows promise and should be integrated into curricula. In closing, many articles were not empirical research. Implications: The growth mindset model shows promise for academic success in health professions education, but more robust studies are warranted.