The Bhagavad Gita, Psychological Safety, and the Medical Learning Environment

Abstract

The art of medical education is increasingly emphasized in academic medicine as we have begun to appreciate how much potential there is for improvement from traditional paradigms. The medical learning environment poses unique challenges wherein the transmission of information from teacher to student is critical and yet psychological safety is a core principle required for effective learning. Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, this piece seeks to highlight how Lord Krishna, the teacher, and Arjuna, the learner, depict the idyllic teacher–student relationship, exemplifying the essence of psychological safety. This article offers several practices clinical educators can imbibe to maximize psychological safety in the medical learning environment at distinct phases of learning: prelearning, learning, and postlearning. Ultimately, effective learning is a bidirectional process that can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience for the student and teacher alike, where all spirits are uplifted.