#428: Andragogy in MedTech: Why Adult Learning Principles Beat Traditional Training

Global Medical Device Podcast · 13 Oct 2025 · 49m · Episode 428

What this episode covers

Shannon Decker, CEO of VBC1 and healthcare transformation expert, explains why traditional training methods fail adults in the MedTech industry and advocates for andragogy (adult-centered learning). She contrasts this with pedagogy, emphasizing that adults are self-directed, problem-centered, and rely on existing experience (schema theory). Decker shares case studies on improving physician adoption of medical devices by leveraging intrinsic motivation, tactile practice, and performance feedback rather than extrinsic rewards like money or compliance mandates.

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