Beyond Snapshots: Studying Medical Training Through Time

Beyond Snapshots: Studying Medical Training Through Time

From Health Ethics Podcast by Bryan Pilkington

June 10, 2026 · 41 min · Season 7 · Episode 6

About this episode

Dr. Bryan Pilkington interviews Dr. Dorene Balmer about her longitudinal study on medical training and the evolving identities of physicians.

In this episode, Dr. Bryan Pilkington speaks with Dr. Dorene Balmer about her book, The Long Arc of Training: Six Stories of Aspiring Doctors , which emerged from a 12-year longitudinal qualitative study that followed medical students into residency and practice. Balmer reflects on how repeated, relationship-based interviews allow participants to reflect on their evolving identities as physicians and surgeons, their career options and their personal values in ways that traditional “snapshot” research cannot capture. Guest: Dorene Balmer, PhD Professor of Pediatrics Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania & Education Scientist Education Collaboratory, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

People in this episode

Host: Bryan Pilkington

Guest: Dorene Balmer

Topics covered

  • medical training
  • longitudinal study
  • physician identity
  • qualitative research
  • career development

Keywords

  • medical training
  • longitudinal study
  • physician identity
  • qualitative research
  • career options

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Perelman School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

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