Search

Launch Panels

  • Print

Panel 1: Transforming the Learning Process

Chaired by Dr. David Naylor, University of Toronto      

Panelists:        

  • Dean David Serwadda, Makerere University of Public Health
  • Dean Afaf Meleis, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Dr. Joe Kolars, University of Michigan

Key points:

  • It will take strong leadership to transform the learning environment at the regulatory and accreditation level, within professional societies, and among health professional faculties.
  • Digital technology is key to moving beyond rote memorization to transformative learning.
  • There are core competencies that all health professions share, which are applicable to all countries despite their resource level.
  • Teamwork among the professions can be optimized by shared courses, joint appointments, joint degrees, and interdisciplinary research centers.

Panel 2: Reforming Educational Institutions

Chaired by Dr. Huda Zurayk, University of Beirut

Panelists:       

  • Dr. Jordan Cohen, George Washington University
  • Dr. Jane Henney, University of Cincinatti College of Medicine
  • Dr. Susan Scrimshaw, The Sage Colleges

Key points:

  • Interdependence involves harmonizing education and health systems; joining networks, alliances and consortia; and harnessing global flows of educational content, resources and innovations.
  • Hurdles to carrying out reforms include: the conservative nature of universities and their department-based structures, credentialing and reward systems; most university leaders don’t feel an incentive to change; and there is currently no model to aspire to.
  • To better link the supply and type of health professionals to local needs, use such mechanisms as national health commissions and collaborative committees of local health providers, educators and community leaders.

Panel 3: Local Adaptability in a Global World

Chaired by Lord Nigel Crisp, KCB, House of Lords

Panelists:        

  • Dr. Timothy Evans, James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh
  • Dr. Patricia Garcia, Cayetano Heredia University, Peru
  • Dr. Barry Kistnasamy, National Institute for Occupational Health

Key points:

  • Problems with health education worldwide are similar, but solutions will have to be national or regional, although lessons can be learned from each others' efforts.
  • A comprehensive assessment involving all stakeholders is essential to reform educational system around priority needs.
  • Twinning arrangements between medical schools in sub-Saharan Africa and in the US and UK are one example of developing capacity in resource-poor areas.
  • No country or health profession has figured out the challenge of fair distribution of healthcare so there is an opportunity to devise the competencies necessary to do that.

Panel 4: Strategies for Dissemination

Chaired by Dr. Harvey Fineberg, President of the U.S. Institute of Medicine.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Manuel Dayrit, World Health Organization                                        
  • Dr. George Thibault, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation
  • Dr. Sigrun Møgedal, Global Health Workforce Alliance, UNAIDS
  • Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan, George Washington University School of Public Health                  
  • Dr. Ariel Pablos-Méndes, The Rockefeller Foundation

Key points:

  • Use the convening power of other global initiatives and partnerships, such as WHO/PEPFAR, WHO/UNESCO collaborations, Sub-Saharan Africa Study, Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and NEPI (nursing)
  • Take advantage of networking opportunities and social mobilization models (processes for achieving change by mobilizing human and financial resources) used by WHO and UNICEF.
  • Everyone needs to spread the message and find allies among colleagues, young professionals and leadership; every region or country needs its own champion for change.