SUMMARY
The primary research interest of Thomas J. Beckman, M.D., is medical education with concentrations in clinical teaching, assessment and scale design. His studies have addressed professionalism, physician well-being, graduate medical education (GME), continuing medical education (CME) and quality of reporting in the literature.
Before joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Beckman served as a U.S. Navy diving medical officer. While on active duty, he graduated from the Navy dive school and was assigned to three dive commands in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There, he treated decompression illness, near-drowning and other diving injuries, and educated physicians and technicians on diving and undersea medicine.
Focus areas
- Medical education research. Clinical teaching, assessment, GME, CME and physician well-being are the focuses of Dr. Beckman's research.
Significance to patient care
Research in medical education aims to improve the understanding of best teaching practices and enhance learning across the spectrum of education — from medical school to continuous professional development. Ultimately, research in medical education improves health care outcomes and serves the needs of patients.
Professional highlights
- Associate editor, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2010-present.
- Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, 2016.
- National Award for Career Achievements in Medical Education, Society of General Internal Medicine, 2015.
- Writing Committee member, American College of Physicians Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program, 2013-2015.
- Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame, Mayo Fellows Association, 2009.
- Diving and undersea medical officer, U.S. Navy, 1993-1997.