Medical Edudcation; Reflection; Interaction research; Philosophy 

Introduction

Dr. Sven Schaepkens is an Assistant Professor at the Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC. His research focuses on medical education and communication, particularly the role of reflection and communication in the development of healthcare professionals. He studies reflection as a meaningful, value-driven and interactional process that supports professional growth, collaboration and autonomy, rather than as an individual skill that can simply be measured or assessed.

Fields of expertise

Drawing on philosophical and empirical communication research, Dr. Schaepkens combines critical analysis of reflective and professional development with the study of real-life educational interactions and discursive practices within the health professions.

Research Leadership and PhD Supervision

Since 2023, he has served as project leader for medical education research within the MERGE research team at the Erasmus MC department of General Practice, and supervises several PhD candidates whose work focuses on interactions in simulation-based medical education (Jikkie van Veen), reflective practice and technological innovation (Kirsten Hoek), and professional attitudes and communication in evidence-based medicine education (Eline Wagelaar).

Editorial and professional service

In addition to his research and teaching activities, Dr. Schaepkens is Action Editor for the Philosophy in Medical Education section of Teaching and Learning in Medicine and serves on the Dutch Medical Education Ethical Review Board (NVMO ERB). He also facilitates faculty development programs for educators and advises on curriculum design.

Form research to educational practice

He obtained his PhD from Erasmus MC in 2024 with a dissertation on the culture of reflection in the Dutch General Practice specialty training. In his open-source book, Boek zonder antwoorden: Over reflectiegesprekken, Dr. Schaepkens brings his research on reflection to life through a visually engaging and practical guide for students, teachers, and educational professionals.