The Wicked Role of the Medical Education Department

Authors

Mona Hmoud AlSheikh, Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaFollow
Rania Zaini, Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine , Umm AlQuura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Elhassan Abdalla, School of Medicine- Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Mohi Eldin Magzoub, College of Medicine, United Arabs Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to describe the role of the Medical Education unit/department (MED) from a world-wide perspective, how it qualifies as a wicked issue, and provide tips on how to tame it. Methods: The authors reviewed the regional and international literature to obtain a framework of functions and then used brainstorming and focus group discussions to define the scope of functions of the MED. Telephone interviews with present or previous chairs of medical education departments in the Kingdom and the region helped define the challenges that are faced. Results: The functions of the MED were found to fall under 10 domains (Table 1) and 40 functions (Table 2). Challenges facing MED role include governance and organizational structure, financial support, manpower, intersection with the roles of other structural entities, and dual reporting of MED staff. Ten tips are described to deal with these challenges. Conclusion: The MED role is complex and faced with many challenges. It has changing and dynamic boundaries, and is entangled with other entities in the college or university. Ten tips are proposed to tackle these challenges and tame the wickedness of the MED role.

Recommended Citation

AlSheikh, Mona Hmoud; Zaini, Rania; Abdalla, Mohamed Elhassan; and Magzoub, Mohi Eldin (2022) "The Wicked Role of the Medical Education Department," Health Professions Education: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.55890/2452-3011.1014
Available at: https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol8/iss1/2