Education and Care Must Work Hand in Hand
Speaking at the Bahrain International Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, renowned educator and surgeon Prof. Hossam Hamdy delivered an eye-opening address on the critical need for adopting systems thinking in the rapidly evolving landscape of health professions education.
Prof. Hamdy emphasized that education and healthcare are deeply interconnected systems. 'Care drives education, and education drives care,' he explained. "To respond effectively to healthcare challenges, we must produce professionals who are not only technically competent but capable of adapting to changing systems, technologies, and societal expectations."
He stressed the growing importance of aligning medical education with community needs, noting that public expectations of healthcare have changed dramatically over the last two decades. 'Educational institutions must be agile and responsive, recognizing that what happens in one part of the world—whether a health crisis or a breakthrough—has ripple effects globally.'
Value-Based Systems
Prof. Hamdy criticized traditional, fragmented models of healthcare and education, which he said often result in poor patient outcomes, inefficiencies, and high costs. Instead, he advocated for value-based care—a model that prioritizes quality and outcomes over volume. 'We are shifting from disease-centered care to wellness-focused systems,' he noted. "And our education must follow suit."
He also highlighted the global shift from siloed, discipline-specific training to interprofessional and team-based models of education. 'Medical, pharmacy, and nursing students must be trained together to work collaboratively. Waiting until professionals are in the field to teach teamwork is too late.'
He concluded with a call to action for academic leaders and program designers, 'Anyone leading an educational program must understand that they are part of a broader system. Fragmentation must be replaced with integration—across disciplines, sectors, and learning phases. Only then can we produce healthcare professionals who are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.'
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