Health Professions' Educators' Adaptation to Rapidly Changing Circumstances: The Ottawa 2020 Conference Experience

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical Education
• Global Health Crises

Background:

• Health professions educators (HPEs) are accustomed to managing organizational changes and crises.
• Environmental shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic present unprecedented challenges to global HPE.
• Traditional face-to-face teaching and in-person conferences are significantly impacted by the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share experiences and lessons learned from the Ottawa 2020 conference amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify transferable strategies for health professions educators navigating global challenges.
• To inform future adaptations in health professions education during crises.

Main Methods:

• Reflective analysis of experiences from the Ottawa 2020 conference (Kuala Lumpur, March 1-5, 2020).
• Identification of key challenges and successful adaptations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Discussion of lessons learned applicable to broader educational and healthcare contexts.

Main Results:

• The pandemic necessitated rapid, often reactive, adjustments to educational plans and practices.
• Key lessons learned emphasize the paramount importance of safety, clear communication, and stakeholder flexibility.
• Effective integration of technology requires realistic expectations, alongside acknowledging the need for psychological adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for resilience and adaptability in health professions education.
• Lessons from this crisis are transferable to other significant challenges facing educators and healthcare systems.
• Fostering community wisdom and collegiality is crucial for navigating uncharted educational territory.