News
- International Conference on “Frontiers of Medical Education” Held in São Paulo, Brazil (JUN 18, 2009)
- Ara Tekian Contributes to Assessment Textbook for Health Professions Educators (JUN 5, 2009)
- CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty Conduct Workshop in Gwalior, India (MAY 28, 2009)
- 2009 GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute (MAY 28, 2009)
- MGM University of Health Sciences Sponsors Continuing Medical Education Program to Celebrate Medical Council of India’s Platinum Jubilee Year (MAY 28, 2009)
- 5th Asian Medical Education Association Conference (MAY 28, 2009)
- IFME: 2009 Fellows and Recent Graduates (MAY 20, 2009)
- 2009 FAIMER Institute Fellows Announced (MAY 20, 2009)
- FAIMER President and CEO John Norcini Receives Hubbard Award (APR 16, 2009)
- 2009 PSG-FAIMER Regional Institute (MAY 28, 2009)
- African Journal of Health Professions Education (APR 10, 2009)
- 6th Asia-Pacific Medical Education Conference Held in Singapore (MAR 27, 2009)
- Faculty Development Efforts Continue in Maharashtra, India, with Consultation of Deans (MAR 27, 2009)
- International Conference on Medical Education (ICME) 2009 Held in Islamabad, Pakistan (MAR 27, 2009)
- 2009 Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute (MAY 20, 2009)
- International Opportunities in Medical Education (IOME) Database Now Searchable (MAR 3, 2009)
- Workshops on Educational Objectives and Research in Bogotá, Colombia (MAR 3, 2009)
- 2009 Brazil-FAIMER Regional Institute (MAY 20, 2009)
- FAIMER Fellows Conduct Workshop on Effective Teaching Learning Methods at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Nepal (FEB 10, 2009)
- Health Care Leaders at eHealth Conference in Bellagio, Italy, Issue a Call to Action (FEB 10, 2009)
- Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Receives Grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Global Health Affairs (JAN 27, 2009)
- CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty Conduct Workshop in Bangladesh (JAN 27, 2009)
- 2009 CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute (MAY 20, 2009)
- FAIMER Institute Fellows Participate in the 6th Biennial Conference of the Asia-Pacific Association on Problem-Based Learning in Health Sciences (JAN 7, 2009)
- WFME–Iran Joint International Congress on Implementation of WFME Standards in Undergraduate Medical Education (JAN 7, 2009)
- National Workshop on "Teaching Learning Methods in Health Professions Education” Held at AIIMS, New Delhi (JAN 7, 2009)
International Conference on “Frontiers of Medical Education” Held in São Paulo, Brazil
Health professions educators from approximately 40 medical schools in Brazil gathered May 24–26, 2009, in São Paulo to share research experiences and explore the cutting edge of health professions education at “Frontiers of Medical Education,” an international conference organized by the Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). FAIMER, in particular the Brazil-FAIMER Regional Institute (Brazil-FRI), was well represented. Attendees included FAIMER’s Associate Vice President for Research and Data Resources, John R. Boulet, Ph.D.; FAIMER faculty members Stewart Mennin, Ph.D., and Regina Petroni Mennin, Ph.D.; Co-director of Brazil-FRI and 2003 FAIMER Institute Fellow, Eliana Amaral, M.D., Ph.D.; 2006 FAIMER Institute Fellows Valdes Roberto Bollela, M.D., Ph.D., and Paulo Marcondes Carvalho, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.P.E.; 2007 Brazil-FRI Fellows George Dantas Azevedo, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dione Tavares Maciel, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Maria Helena Senger, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.; 2008 Brazil-FRI Fellows Suely Grosseman, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., Valéria Menezes Peixeiro Machado, M.D., M.Sc., and Patricia Tempski, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.; and 2009 Brazil-FRI Fellow Evelin Muraguchi, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D. FAIMER Fellows and faculty were responsible for about one-half of all the presentations given at the conference.
Also in attendance at the meeting was Ana Estela Haddad, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Health Education Management of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Dr. Haddad acknowledged the important role of Brazil-FRI as a key faculty development program helping the Ministry of Health’s efforts to advance health professions education and qualify health professionals throughout Brazil.
Ara Tekian Contributes to Assessment Textbook for Health Professions Educators
Long-standing FAIMER Institute and FAIMER Regional Institute faculty member Ara Tekian, Ph.D., has co-authored three chapters in Assessment in Health Professions Education, a new comprehensive textbook on assessment written specifically for members of the health professions education community. Dr. Tekian, who is Associate Professor of Medical Education and Director of International Affairs in the Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois at Chicago, contributed to chapters on standard setting, oral examinations, and assessment portfolios. Published by Routledge in April 2009, and edited by Steven Downing and Rachel Yudkowsky, Assessment in Health Professions Education is available in both hard cover and paperback editions. For more information, please click here.
CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty Conduct Workshop in Gwalior, India
Gwalior workshop faculty from the CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute against the backdrop of historic Gwalior fort, from left to right: Gagandeep Kwatra, Dinesh Badyal, Tejinder Singh, and Sheena Singh
(click image to enlarge)
Faculty from the CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute (CMCL-FRI) conducted a medical education workshop at the Gajra Raja Medical College in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, April 10–11, 2009. Dinesh Badyal (CMCL 2007), Gagandeep Kwatra (CMCL 2006), Sheena Singh (CMCL 2006), and CMCL-FRI Director Tejinder Singh (PHIL 2003) led faculty development sessions employing interactive FAIMER teaching methodologies. The major focus of the program was to equip the participants with skills to provide formative feedback to students in various settings. The sessions on assessment and clinical teaching were used to emphasize the beneficial effect of feedback on student learning.
Participants included six local faculty members who had been trained in India’s National Teacher Training Center (NTTC) program, including the Dean of the College, Dr. S. Sapre. Comparisons between NTTC and FAIMER proved interesting, with FAIMER generally considered the more interactive of the two programs. Dr. Sapre noted that the FAIMER team kept all participants engaged for the entire duration of the workshop, ensured their participation, and prepared them to conduct a second workshop with local facilitators only, an important objective of the program.
The CMCL team also used the workshop as an opportunity to give a brief presentation on FAIMER Regional Institutes.
Dr. Tejinder Singh noted that the participants were very receptive overall, and that an encouraging atmosphere was created prior to the event, thanks to the efforts of local organizers. Dr. A. G. Shingwekar, who coordinated the event, had also invited five “observers” from other medical colleges in the state, and the event was very well covered by the local press. Feedback on the workshop was very positive.
2009 GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute
The 2009 GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute will begin in Mumbai, India, in June. The following individuals have been selected to participate:
Seema Anjenaya, M.B.B.S., M.D., Mahatma Gandhi Mission Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India
Manish Bajpai, M.B.B.S., M.D., Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, India
Rohini Bhadre, Ph.D., K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, India
Suresh Chari, Ph.D., N. K. P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Nagpur, India
Karuna Datta, M.B.B.S., M.D., D.N.B., Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
Nitin Gaikwad, M.B.B.S., M.D., Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
Bhagyalakshmi Gopalan, M.B.B.S., M.S. (Human Anatomy), D. A. Pandu Memorial R. V. Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India
Surekha Hippargi, M.B.B.S., M.D., Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bijapur, India
Srinivasa Jayachandra, M.B.B.S., M.D., Ph.D., Santhiram Medical College, Nandyal, India
Ganesh Kamath, M.Sc. (Medical), Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal, India
Shyam Kishore, M.B.B.S., M.D., Seth G. S. Medical College & King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Santosh Kondekar, M.B.B.S., M.D., Seth G. S. Medical College & King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Pramila Menon, M.B.B.S., M.D., Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Pune, India
Chitra Pai, M.B.B.S., M.D., Mahatma Gandhi Mission Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India
Sushil Pande, M.B.B.S., M.D., N. K. P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, India
Sushma Ramraje, M.B.B.S., M.D., Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India
Ipseeta Ray, B.Sc. (Human Biology), M.Sc. (Pharmacology), Mahatma Gandhi Mission Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India
Joseph Sebastian, M.B.B.S., M.S., Dip.N.B., M.Ch., Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Science, Gangtok, India
Fouzia Shersad, M.B.B.S., M.H.P.E., Dubai Medical College for Girls, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Mangala Subramanian, M.B.B.S., M.D., Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
Shambhu Upadhyay, Bachelor of Medicine (Chinese Medicine), M.P.H., Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
MGM University of Health Sciences Sponsors Continuing Medical Education Program to Celebrate Medical Council of India’s Platinum Jubilee Year
A continuing medical education program entitled Economics of Health Care in Indian Scenario was held in Navi Mumbai, India, on January 28, 2009, in celebration of the “Platinum Jubilee Year” of the Medical Council of India. The event was organized by the Medical Education Department of MGM University of Health Sciences, and Dr. Madhuri Kate (GSMC 2008) served as its convener. Highlights of the program included an “Overview of Medical Education and Health Care Scenario in India” by Dr. Ramji Singh (GSMC 2006) and Dr. Anshu (CMCL 2007, PHIL 2009) and a presentation by Dr. Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), Director of the GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute, entitled “Economics of Medical Education.”
5th Asian Medical Education Association Conference
The 5th Asian Medical Education Association (AMEA) Conference will take place October 4-7, 2009, at the Universitas Padjadjaran in Bandung, Indonesia. The theme of the conference is “Education for Future Physician: Mosaic in Asia,” and invited speakers include FAIMER President and CEO John Norcini, Ph.D., and FAIMER Institute faculty member Ara Tekian, Ph.D. For more information, please visit www.amea2009.fk.unpad.ac.id.
IFME: 2009 Fellows and Recent Graduates
Noor Fatima Ahsen, M.B.B.S., 2006 FAIMER Institute Fellow, and Sheena Singh, M.B.B.S., M.D., 2006 CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Fellow, have been selected as participants in FAIMER’s International Fellowship in Medical Education (IFME) program. Both Fellows will be pursuing a Master of Health Professions Education (M.H.P.E.) degree at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Dr. Ahsen, a 2008-2009 FAIMER Institute Global Faculty Advisor, plans to focus on curriculum development, teaching methods, and student assessment. Her goal is to take on greater organizational leadership roles and make important contributions to medical education research in her position as a public health consultant in Pakistan.
Dr. Singh is the first Regional Institute Fellow to enter the IFME program. She plans to study curriculum design, principles of andragogy, assessment, and project management, as well as further develop her leadership and research skills. Her goal is to apply what she learns from the program in her role as a CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty Advisor.
Four Fellows, all from the FAIMER Institute class of 2003, have completed the IFME program and have earned their M.H.P.E. degree from Maastricht University:
Huseyin Cahit Taskiran, M.D., M.H.P.E., completed the program in May 2008. His thesis is entitled “Taking Skills Mastery to the Next Level: A Needs Assessment Study for an Outcome-based Curriculum Design.”
Elena Barragan, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.P.E, also completed the program in May 2008. Her thesis is entitled “Novice Faculty Development Programme Evaluation.”
Ahuka Ona Longombe, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.P.E., completed the program in October 2008. His thesis is entitled “Factors Associated with Students’ Academic Success at a Medical School: Students’ Characteristics.”
Tejinder Singh, M.D., D.N.B., F.I.A.P., Masters Distance Education, M.H.P.E., had his thesis, entitled “Identification of Needs and Priorities of Pedagogic Themes for Faculty Development in India,” approved in April 2009 and will receive his official degree in June.
The IFME program provides support for participating Fellows to pursue advanced degrees in health professions education at selected institutions that offer distance learning programs. The program prepares participants to take on greater educational leadership roles at their home institutions, as well as at FAIMER’s Regional Institutes, with the ultimate goal of improving local health care. Originally open only to FAIMER Institute Fellows, the opportunity to enter the IFME program was expanded in December 2008 to include Fellows from FAIMER’s Regional Institutes. IFME Fellows are selected by FAIMER.
For more information on the IFME program, visit www.faimer.org/education/ifme/index.html.
2009 FAIMER Institute Fellows Announced
The 2009 FAIMER Institute will begin in Philadelphia in October. The following individuals have been selected to participate:
Dr. Anshu, M.D., M.B.B.S., Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India
Reem Rachel Abraham, B.Sc., M.D., Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal, India
Rukhsana Aslam, M.B.B.S., Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Janet Bloomfield, M.D., Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
Andrea Dávila-Cervantes, M.D., Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Rosiane Diniz, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
Yasser El-Wazir, M.B.Ch.B., Ph.D., Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Tesfaye Gebremedhin, M.D., M.P.H., Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Abdul Hanif, M.B.B.S., Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mahinda Kommalage, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
Abdel-Karim Koumare, M.D., M.P.H., Ecole Nacional de Medecine, Bamako, Mali
Francisco Lamus, M.D., M.P.H., Universidad de la Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia
Marykutty Mammen, B.Sc., Ph.D., Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
Ramalingam Sankaran, M.D., PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, India
Tegbar Sendekie, M.D., M.P.H., Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia
Muhammad Tariq, M.B.B.S., Aga Khan Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
FAIMER President and CEO John Norcini Receives Hubbard Award
FAIMER President and CEO John Norcini, Ph.D., is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) John P. Hubbard Award. Established in 1983, in honor of the late John P. Hubbard, M.D., long-time esteemed CEO of the NBME, the award is presented to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the field of evaluation in medicine. The Hubbard award recognizes Dr. Norcini’s commitment to excellence in medical education, his rigorous pursuit of high standards in scholarship, his broad and prolific publications and presentations history, and his tireless work on behalf of FAIMER. Dr. Norcini’s accomplishments in the field of assessment are considered both wide-ranging and pioneering.
The award was announced on March 26, 2009 at the Annual Meeting of the NBME Membership. For more information, please visit http://www.nbme.org/about/Hubbard/2009-hubbard-recipient.html.
2009 PSG-FAIMER Regional Institute
The first residential session of the 2009 PSG-FAIMER Regional Institute (PSG-FRI) took place April 18–24, 2009, in Coimbatore, India, under the direction of Thomas Chacko. The 2009 PSG-FRI Fellows are:
Lakshmi Achanta, M.D., Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, India
Roopa Bellad, M.B.B.S., M.D., Jawarharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, India
Leena Francis, M.Sc. (Nursing), M.A., M.Sc. (Psych.), PSG College of Nursing, Coimbatore, India
Marina Joseph, M.B.B.S., M.D., Comm. Med. Dip. N.B., C.T.A., Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, India
Latha Kumar, M.B.B.S., M.D., Ph.D., Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India
Jayalakshmi Lingaraj, M.B.B.S., M.D., Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore, India
Kalpana M.K., M.B.B.S., M.D., M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India
Satheesha Nayak, M.Sc., Ph.D., Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal, India
Sairu Philip, M.B.B.S., M.D., T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha, India
Seema S.R., M.B.B.S., M.D., M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India
Vinutha Shankar, M.B.B.S., M.D., Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
Ranjana Sahasrabude, M.Sc., Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Maharashtra, India
Y.S. Sivan, M.A., Ph.D., PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Coimbatore, India
Ragunanthanan Srinivasan, M.B.B.S., M.D., Madras Medical College, Chennai, India
Roopa Srivasan, M.B.B.S., M.D. (Physiology), P.G.D.M.C.H., Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu, India
Venkata Sujatha Vellanki, M.B.B.S., M.S.-O.G., Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, India
African Journal of Health Professions Education
A new online peer-reviewed publication dedicated specifically to health professions education on the continent of Africa is currently in development. Under the editorial leadership of 2001 FAIMER Institute Fellow Vanessa Burch, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., Ph.D., Co-Director of the Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute, the African Journal of Health Professions Education will publish research articles, letters, editorials, practical education pieces, and opinion pieces focusing on health professions education in Africa.
The editorial board of the journal will be comprised of African and international health professions educators. Initial plans are to publish semiannually for the first two years with the hope of increasing the publication frequency as the journal becomes more established and submissions increase. The inaugural issue is expected to be available sometime in the second half of 2009. Publication costs for the journal are being funded by the publishers of the South African Medical Journal, an internationally accredited publication.
For more information on the African Journal of Health Professions Education, please visit www.ajhpe.org.za. To submit work for publication, please register on the website and check the "author” box before completing your submission.
6th Asia-Pacific Medical Education Conference Held in Singapore
FAIMER Fellows played a prominent role at the 6th Asia-Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), held February 21–22, 2009, at the National University of Singapore. The theme of the conference was "Energizing the Educational Mission of Medical Schools,” and nine FAIMER Fellows participated: Payal Bansal (PHIL 2007), Thomas Chacko (PHIL 2004), Hem Lata (CMCL 2007), Sheena Singh (CMCL 2006), Tejinder Singh (PHIL 2003), Jayanthi V. (CMCL 2007), Rashmi Vyas (PHIL 2003), Dinesh Badyal (CMCL 2007), and Ashwini Karve (GSMC 2006).
A forum led by FAIMER Fellows addressing the theme "Developing the Field of Medical Education in India” was held on the first day of the conference and drew approximately 50 attendees. Dr. Vyas opened the forum with a presentation on "FAIMER Fellows in India: Demonstrating Field Leadership.” Also presenting were Dr. Chacko, on "FAIMER Regional Institutes: Meeting Faculty Development Needs of Mid-Level Educators,” and Dr. Tejinder Singh, on "Bridging the Gap: Online Discussions for Faculty Development in Resource Constrained Settings.”
In a "Future Leaders Forum,” Dr. Bansal spoke on "Priorities and Strategies for Capacity Building to Improve Health Sciences Education Systems in Developing Countries,” in which she shared her experiences on the joint faculty development and capacity building project between FAIMER and the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences in the state of Maharashtra in India. Dr. Bansal also conducted a workshop on the One Minute Preceptor. Drs. Badyal, Hem Lata, and Sheena Singh contributed with poster presentations.
Overall, APMEC 2009 made an important contribution toward the goal of emphasizing the primary educational mission of medical schools in the face of pressures placed upon them to serve as research institutions and/or clinical centers.
Faculty Development Efforts Continue in Maharashtra, India, with Consultation of Deans
As part their ongoing collaborative efforts to improve medical education in India through capacity building, FAIMER and the Department of Medical Education and Technology (MET) of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) organized the All Maharashtra Deans Consultation, a meeting of deans of the 41 medical schools associated with MUHS. The meeting, which took place January 12 and 13, 2009, in Pune, set the following objectives:
- Help develop a comprehensive plan for strengthening faculty development in medical education in Maharashtra to promote changes in teaching methodologies and curriculum revision.
- Develop the skills of educational leaders in change management and provide tools and strategies for managing change in teaching methods in medical education.
- Identify priority areas for future faculty development programs at the MUHS MET department.
- Develop strategies for better synergy between medical colleges in the state and the MUHS MET Department.
FAIMER Fellows taking part in the meeting included Payal Bansal (PHIL 2007), Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), Rita Sood (PHIL 2005), Vivek Saoji (PHIL 2003), and Arun Jamkar (PHIL 2004). Facilitating the meeting was William Burdick, FAIMER’s Associate Vice President for Education and Co-Director of the FAIMER Institute. Other stakeholders in the meeting included the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Medical Council of India, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maharashtran Ministry of Health.
Following sessions that included brainstorming, affinity mapping, presentations, and group work, four key areas emerged for promoting faculty development in India:
- strengthening the medical education units of colleges,
- faculty assessment,
- incentives for teaching faculty,
- education research.
An important outcome of the meeting was a plan to create an on-line discussion group to support continued networking of participants and to discover synergies among the different institutions as faculty development plans move forward.
Feedback on the meeting was very positive. Participants appreciated the interactive processes employed as well as the spirit of cooperation embraced by so many leaders.
International Conference on Medical Education (ICME) 2009 Held in Islamabad, Pakistan
The International Conference on Medical Education (ICME) was held January 26 and 27, 2009, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Organized by Riphah International University in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), ICME was the first meeting of its kind in Pakistan. Highlighting his government’s commitment to health professions education was the country’s Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, who affirmed that "proper academic training can bring a scientific revolution in the country.” Other officials attending the conference included the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Fehmida Mirza, M.B.B.S., and the Executive Director of HEC, Prof. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, Ph.D.
FAIMER played a prominent role in the conference. Invited speakers included FAIMER President and CEO John Norcini, Ph.D., and FAIMER Institute Faculty Members Ara Tekian, Ph.D., M.H.P.E., and M. Brownell Anderson, M.Ed., Senior Director, Educational Affairs, for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dr. Norcini led sessions on "Challenges” in medical education, "Curriculum” issues, and "Assessment,” and presented on "Assessment and Feedback in the Context of Clinical Training.” Dr. Tekian led sessions on "Innovations” in medical education and "Teaching Strategies,” and presented on "Integration of Patient Safety Concepts into the Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum.” Dr. Anderson led a session on "Behavior and Attitude in Learning” and presented on "Challenges in Medical Education: What Does the 21st Century Hold?”
FAIMER Fellows participating in the conference included Tara Jaffery, M.B.B.S., M.D. (PHIL 2005), Zahra Ladhani, R.N., R.M., B.Sc.N., M.P.H. (PHIL 2007), Imran Shaikh, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., (PHIL 2006), and Zareen Zaidi, M.B.B.S., M.D. (PHIL 2008). Drs. Jaffery and Zaidi presented on the subject of integration and Dr. Shaikh spoke on the topic of assessment. Dr. Zaidi also won the award for best oral presentation at the conference for her work on curriculum development at Foundation University Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The award included a cash prize of 25,000 rupees.
In another presentation at the conference, PM&DC announced that Medical Education has been added as a specialty, making the field a career path for tenure and promotion.
2009 Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute
The first residential session of the 2009 Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) took place March 5–10, 2009, in Cape Town, South Africa, under the direction of Vanessa Burch and Gboyega Ogunbanjo. The 2009 SAFRI Fellows are:
Mohamed Abdelrahman, M.B.B.S., M.D., University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Ezera Agwu, B.Sc., Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Uganda
Wilfred Arubaku, B.D.S., Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Ephraim Dafiewhare, M.B.B.S., Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Uganda
Johan Dempers, M.B.Ch.B., FC Path, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mubuuke Gonzaga, B.Sc., Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Felicia Mazwi, R.N., Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
Lakshini McNamee, B.Sc., M.Ed., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nyengo Mkandawire, M.B.B.S., University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
Safinah Museene, B.Sc., R.N., Kibuli School of Nursing, Kampala, Uganda
Velaphi Ndimande, M.B.Ch.B., University of Limpopo, Medunsa, South Africa
Alfeu Passanduca, M.D., Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
Paul Pensulo, Dip. Med., University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
Julia Schurgers, B.Sc., University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Rachel Weiss, M.B.Ch.B., University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
International Opportunities in Medical Education (IOME) Database Now Searchable
The directory of International Opportunities in Medical Education (IOME), a joint project of FAIMER and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), is now available in a searchable format. Launched in 2007, IOME contains information about international opportunities for medical students, residents, and faculty. This resource was created based on the responses to a survey administered by FAIMER and AAMC. In February 2009, IOME was enlarged to allow users to search for records by school name, type of opportunity, and geographic location. This directory is freely available on the FAIMER website. To search IOME, please visit http://iome.faimer.org.
Workshops on Educational Objectives and Research in Bogotá, Colombia
The annual conference of The Network: Towards Unity for Health (TUFH) took place in Bogotá, Colombia, from September 27 to October 2, 2008. FAIMER staff and Fellows played an active role at the conference. FAIMER staff included John R. Boulet, Associate Vice President for Research and Data Resources, and William Burdick, Associate Vice President for Education and Co-Director of the FAIMER Institute. FAIMER Fellows included Elena Barragan (PHIL 2003), Mary Bermudez-Gomez (PHIL 2007), Ivan Solarte (PHIL 2007), Paulo Carvalho (PHIL 2006), Sarah Kiguli (PHIL 2004), Elsie Kiguli-Malwadde (PHIL 2005), and Samuel Maling (SAFRI 2008).
Prior to the conference, Dr. Burdick led a workshop on educational objectives for the faculty at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. The workshop was conducted to support the work of Drs. Bermudez-Gomez and Solarte, who are leading a major curriculum restructuring effort at the school. Approximately 50 faculty members from the School of Medicine took part in the practicum and worked in teams to create educational objectives and develop related student assessment methods.
On September 27, a pre-conference workshop was held on research methods in medical education. Drs. Burdick and Boulet presented an introduction to research methods along with Dr. Bermudez-Gomez and Donald Pathman, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Education for Health, the peer-reviewed journal of The Network: TUFH, and Professor and Research Director at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Participants in the workshop then developed research questions relevant to projects at their own institutions, and designed research strategies to address those questions. Participants came from Argentina, Colombia, India, Mozambique, Peru, South Africa, Sudan, and Uganda.
2009 Brazil-FAIMER Regional Institute
The first residential session of the 2009 Brazil-FAIMER Regional Institute took place February 2–12, 2009, in Porto das Dunas, Brazil, under the direction of Eliana Amaral and Henry Campos. The 2009 Brazil-FAIMER Fellows are:
Iêda Aleluia, M.D., Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Brazil
Fernando Almeida, M.D., Ph.D., Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Sorocaba, Brazil
Antonio Amorim, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D., Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
Elbens Azevedo, Ph.D., Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
Cristiane Barelli, M.D., Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
Marcia Bueno, M.D., Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Celia Campanaro, M.D., Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
José Diniz Junior, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
José Ferrari, M.D., M.P.H., Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Brazil
Sandra Fortes, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Jorge Guedes, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
Vera Koch, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
José Leão, M.D., Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Fatima Marie Lima, Ph.D., Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
Mauricio Marchese, B.Sc., Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
Simone Moraes, M.D., Fundação Universitaria do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
Luciana Motta, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Evelin Muraguchi, Ph.D., Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
Alessandra Naghettini, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
Edméa Oliva-Costa, M.D., M.P.H., Fundação Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil
Alice Prearo, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
Maria Conceição Sampaio, M.D., Ph.D., Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Brazil
Almira Santos, D.D.S., Ph.D., Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
José Scherer, Ph.D., Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
Rozangela Wyszomirska, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
FAIMER Fellows Conduct Workshop on Effective Teaching Learning Methods at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Nepal
In support of an ongoing effort to revitalize health professions education at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Nepal, Bishnu Hari Paudel (PHIL 2007), Soumya Bhattacharya (PHIL 2005), and Shyamal Bhattacharya (PHIL 2006) led a workshop at the Institute on "Effective Teaching Learning Methods and Related Aspects,” from December 7 to 12, 2008. Thirty-four health professions educators from five institutions in Nepal participated in sessions on such topics as program evaluation, changing curricula to meet local needs, effective teaching practices, problem-based learning, conflict management, and change management. Educators from outside of Nepal were invited to serve as faculty; included among those contributing was Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), Director of the GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute in Mumbai, India.
An Appreciative Inquiry approach was practiced throughout the workshop and a great deal of emphasis was placed on teamwork. Sessions were designed to encourage broad active participation. Goals of the workshop included not only the continued improvement of health professions education at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, but also continued development throughout Nepal, and the fostering of a network of health professions educators across the country. Feedback from participants was positive. The workshop was considered a great success, and there was much interest expressed in conducting similar activities in the future.
Health Care Leaders at eHealth Conference in Bellagio, Italy, Issue a Call to Action
From July 12 through August 8, 2008, more than 200 global leaders in health care, technology, finance, policy, and government gathered together to share ideas on eHealth, the use of information and communications technology to improve health systems. Sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, and held at its Bellagio Center in Italy, the conference, entitled "Making the eHealth Connection: Global Partnerships, Local Solutions,” explored such topics as public health informatics, interoperability and standards, access to information and knowledge-sharing, eHealth capacity building, electronic health records, mobile telemedicine, unlocking eHealth markets, and eHealth policies. The goal of the conference was to discover ways to leverage eHealth to advance health services worldwide, particularly in under-resourced or developing countries.
Discussion at the conference led to a consensus on goals and priorities for the development and implementation of global, regional, national, and local eHealth systems. These recommendations were consolidated into the Bellagio eHealth Call to Action, an expression of the commitment of stakeholders to improving global health care through eHealth solutions. Supporters of the Call to Action agree to work together to improve the quality, access, affordability, and efficiency of health care through better eHealth solutions. Some specific areas of recommendation include the following:
- Policy Issues: Setting global agendas for eHealth implementation and policy discussion; encouraging governments to adopt a culture of eHealth interoperability based on open standards; increasing intergovernmental endorsement of and consensus on eHealth issues through a Global eHealth Compact.
- Collaboration and Networking: Creating an online resource to share eHealth content, methods, and technologies; supporting the development of collaborative action platforms; creating internet portals for information sharing on eHealth among stakeholders, including health care workers, researchers, educators, policymakers, providers, and donors.
- Knowledge and Capacity Building: Identifying and supporting existing centers, and creating new centers of health informatics to improve knowledge management and the dissemination of health information; increasing collaboration among health informatics centers and eHealth training and research centers to create a global community of professional practitioners and scholars; developing and disseminating educational resources at all levels.
- Metrics, Tools, and Templates: Creating and implementing strong assessment and evaluation tools for evaluating interoperability, health workforce informatics capacity, and the impact of eHealth programs and initiatives; developing a blueprint for activities and programs in countries with limited resources.
The signatories of the Bellagio eHealth Call to Action "urge governments, multilateral agencies, development partners, provider organizations, academic, research, and public health institutions, health care workers, entrepreneurs, technology experts from the public and private sectors, and members of civil society to join this Call to Action” in an effort to achieve "better health for all in the 21st century.”
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Receives Grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Global Health Affairs
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences’ (MUHS) Department of Medical Education and Technology (MET) has received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Global Health Affairs, New Delhi. Payal Bansal (PHIL 2007) of the Department of MET at MUHS has been working with FAIMER in recent months to advance capacity building activities in India. In recognition of the importance of improving medical education in India, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended its support to these activities. The grant agreement was signed at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai on December 19, 2008.
The grant will be used to fund a number of activities, including the following MUHS-FAIMER initiatives:
- A consultation of Deans of 41 medical schools located in Maharashtra state, aimed at improving medical education through faculty development programs. A capacity building plan developed jointly by MUHS and FAIMER will be discussed.
- Workshops on advanced education and leadership, and continuing professional development topics by national and international experts.
- Regional meetings of graduates of the FAIMER Institute and Regional Institutes from Maharashtra for networking and strategic development.
- A second MUHS-FAIMER National Conference in Medical Education, to be held in 2009.
- Planning meetings for faculty development programs.
CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty Conduct Workshop in Bangladesh
CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute Faculty at the First International Training Program for Medical Teachers of Bangladesh, from left to right: Jugesh Chhatwal (PHIL 2007), Dinesh Badyal (CMCL 2007), Sheena Singh (CMCL 2006), Tejinder Singh (PHIL 2003), Harpreet Kapoor (CMCL 2006; PHIL 2008).
(click image to enlarge)
Faculty from the CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute led the First International Training Program for Medical Teachers of Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 1-3, 2008. Organized at the request of the Health Ministry of Bangladesh, this workshop was the first conducted outside of India by CMCL-FAIMER faculty. The CMCL-FAIMER team was comprised of Tejinder Singh (PHIL 2003), Director of the CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute; Harpreet Kapoor (CMCL 2006; PHIL 2008); Sheena Singh (CMCL 2006); Dinesh Badyal (CMCL 2007); and Jugesh Chhatwal (PHIL 2007).
Sixty-five participants from 16 medical schools in Bangladesh took part in sessions on such topics as group dynamics, microteaching, the One-Minute Preceptor (OMP) method, and the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) method. Professor Tejinder Singh pointed out that despite the time constraints of the workshop, the leaders decided to showcase FAIMER methodology. "Audience involvement was maximized,” he noted, and "every session was skill oriented and used role playing to drive home the point [of the session].” Post-workshop evaluations were very positive.
Prof. Singh credits William Burdick, FAIMER’s Associate Vice President for Education and Co-Director of the FAIMER Institute, for his guidance and encouragement in bringing about the workshop. The CMCL-FAIMER faculty were delighted by the outcome of the workshop and hope to do more such work in the future.
FAIMER and the CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute faculty gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Bangladesh Ltd., Mr. A.M. Faruque, Managing Director; the Shaeed Dr. Shamsuddin Foundation, Ziauddin Ahmed, M.D., Executive Director; and Sajjad Islam, M.D., of Odessa, Texas, who made this workshop possible.
2009 CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute
The first residential session of the 2009 CMCL-FAIMER Regional Institute (CMCL-FRI) took place January 13–18, 2009, in Ludhiana, India, under the direction of Tejinder Singh. The 2009 CMCL-FRI Fellows are:
Omna Chawla, M.D., Gian Sagar Medical College, Ram Nagar, Banur, India
Singla Deepak, M.D., Maharaja Agarsen Hospital, New Delhi, India
Suchitra Deolalikar, M.D., Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India
Jaishree Ganjiwale, M.Sc. (Statistics), Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India
James Gonsalves, M.D., Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia
Muna Jahan, M.B.B.S., M.S., Begum Khaleda Zia Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Biplab Jamatia, M.D., Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
Neelkamal Kapoor, M.D., Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India
Ilesh Kotecha, M.D., Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India
Bhawan Gharti Magar, M.B.B.S., Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Nepal
Amrita Mishra, B.A.M.S., M.D., Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College, Hospital and Research Centre, Sawangi, India
Rakesh Mittal, M.D., Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, India
Jasleen Narula, M.D., Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India
Ranabir Pal, M.D., Sikkim-Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, India
Jayshree Phurailatpam, M.D., Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
Alka Rawekar, M.D., Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
Srikesavan Sabapathy, M.P.T., Shree Ghantakaran Mahavir Physiotherapy College and Rehabilitation Center, Godhra, India
Mala Sethi, M.D., Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India
Krishna Mohan Surapaneni, M.Sc., Ph.D., M.R.S.C., Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, India
Jayant Vagha, M.D., Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
FAIMER Institute Fellows Participate in the 6th Biennial Conference of the Asia-Pacific Association on Problem-Based Learning in Health Sciences
Four FAIMER Institute Fellows played prominent roles at the 6th Biennial Conference of the Asia-Pacific Association on Problem-Based Learning in Health Sciences (APA-PHS), which took place October 15-16, 2008, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Debra Sim (PHIL 2007), Professor at the University of Malaya, served on the conference organizing committee as Co-Chair, and Christina Tan (PHIL 2005), Director of the Medical Education & Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, served as Secretary. Both were also members of the APA-PHS Executive Committee, along with Nor Azila Mohd Adnan (PHIL 2002), Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Malaya. Vanessa Burch (PHIL 2001), Associate Professor, Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and Co-Director of the Southern Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute, contributed as a plenary speaker on the subject of assessment.
The theme of the APA-PHS conference was Problem Based Learning (PBL): Challenges and Opportunities. Approximately 170 health professionals attended the event and 80 registered for pre-conference workshops. Participants represented more than 15 countries, with most coming from India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The conference was noteworthy for increasing the involvement of health professionals from disciplines outside of medical education, including dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing.
One important outcome from the conference was the creation of a list-serve on PBL with further plans to develop it into an electronic forum similar to FAIMER’s Mentoring and Learning Web (ML-Web) discussion forum. The hope is that this forum will facilitate participants’ sharing of PBL expertise and resources and spread the PBL philosophy to a wider audience in the Asia-Pacific region.
WFME–Iran Joint International Congress on Implementation of WFME Standards in Undergraduate Medical Education
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)–Iran Joint International Congress on Implementation of WFME Standards in Undergraduate Medical Education took place on Kish Island, Iran, from November 6-9, 2008. The conference was organized by Elaheh Malakan Rad (PSG 2007), Chair of the Secretariat for Undergraduate Medical Education, and conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran. There were more than 500 participants from 48 universities in Iran, as well as 16 presenters representing eight countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Themes of the congress included Standards and Accreditation, Curriculum and Curricular Reforms, and Assessment and Evaluation.
More than 80 lectures and 200 posters were presented over the course of the four days. In addition to the more formal lectures and workshops held at the congress, two informal "Meet the Experts” sessions were held to provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions of keynote lecturers and network with prominent members of the health professions education community. Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), Director of the GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute; Janet Grant, Director of the Centre for Education in Medicine at the Open University in the United Kingdom and Senior Mentor at the Philadelphia FAIMER Institute; and Thomas Chacko (PHIL 2004), Director of the PSG-FAIMER Regional Institute, served as experts in these sessions and contributed to the congress as workshop leaders and presenters.
Dr. Supe led a workshop on "How to Get Published in Peer-Reviewed Journals" and gave talks on "Accreditation of Medical Schools in India: Lessons Learned from Indian Experiences” and "Competency-based Surgical Education.” Prof. Grant led an international workshop on "Distance Learning” and gave talks on "Curriculum and Quality in Medical Education” and "Program Evaluation.” Dr. Chacko led workshops on "Academic Leadership” and "Accreditation in Undergraduate Medical Education” and lectured on "Faculty Development: The Need for a Comprehensive Approach.” Dr. Malakan Rad added to her contributions with a lecture on "Standard Setting in Examinations.”
Dr. Supe praised the work of Dr. Malakan Rad in coordinating the event and noted that "the enthusiasm of participants and [contributors] was beyond expectations.” He indicated that the impact of the congress on health professions education in Iran should be far-reaching. Professor Bahram Einollahi, Deputy Minister of Educational Affairs and Chair of the Congress, formally acknowledged the guidance of both Prof. Janet Grant and John Norcini, President and CEO of FAIMER, in making the congress a success.
National Workshop on "Teaching Learning Methods in Health Professions Education” Held at AIIMS, New Delhi
From November 10-12, 2008, forty-five educators from the medical, nursing, and dental fields gathered together at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi to attend the National Workshop on "Teaching Learning Methods in Health Professions Education.” Organizing Chair of the event was Rita Sood (PHIL 2005), and faculty included prominent health professions educators from throughout India, including K. Ramnarayan, FAIMER Fellows Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), Tejinder Singh (PHIL 2003), Supten Sarbadhikari (PSG 2007), Payal Bansal (PHIL 2007), Nalin Mehta (PSG 2007), and Kalpana Luthra (CMCL 2006). Payal affirmed that serving on the faculty was "a very enriching experience” and a good "opportunity to network with many more medical educators.”
Topics covered during the three-day intensive Workshop included curricular objectives, principles of adult learning, the art of good lecturing, interactive teaching in large groups, microteaching, good teaching practices, problem-based learning, teaching communication skills, teaching clinical skills, professionalism and ethics, and the effective use of technology in instruction. Attendees Praveen Singh (CMCL 2008) and Suman Singh (CMCL 2008) described the sessions as "meticulously planned” with "three full days, full of hands-on activity” that kept participants busy long after the sessions officially ended.