Under the roofs of Islamic University of Gaza, Faculty of Medicine launched its 9th International Conference, which is also considered the first International Medical Student Conference, entitled with “Medical Education in Palestine – A Holistic Approach”. The conference was held on October 15-16 inside the Big Conference Hall, and was attended by medical experts, acandemics, specialists in educational and medical institutions, and a crowd of medical students.
Opening Session
Dr. Yousef Abu Alreesh, Deputy Health Minister, said that “The medical education system is complex and protracted. It starts with policies and procedures releveant to student’s entry in various programs, specialization selection, and clinical internship training. It extends to include embodying continuing education methods and techniques, most notably scientific conferences”. He stated that education requires a coherent system to secure distinct outcomes.
The success of medical education, according to Dr. Abu Alreesh, can be attributed to the Ministry of Health taking responsibility of developing curricula for various health programs. He hoped that there would be a remedial program between the Palestinian Ministry of Health and universities involved in medical education to bridge the gap between education and its required programs, as well as between service and medical practice.
Prof. Naser Farahat, President of Islamic University, explained that the Islamic University is grounded on the educational hub, scientific research, and community service through its scientific ability, academic cadres, and advanced laboratories, which are considered scientifically supportive to various community sectors.
Prof. Farahat noted that the university faculties have been holding periodic conferences at all levels, specially the Faculty of Medicine. It continues to achieve the goals for which it was established by graduating distinguished cadres to serve and augment the Palestinian medical sector.
Dr. Fadel Naim, Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Conference, said that the Conference would be an effective step in examining both the reality of medical education at all levels and the challenges it faces to come up with recommendations that strive to improve the medical education in Palestine. “Faculty of Medicine had held the Conference as a review of experience, an assessment of the process, a planning for a better future, and an overcoming of the lack in human experience”. He added.
Dr. Naim drew attention to the fact that the conference was being held in coordination with medical students to organize the conference events and in full cooperation with the Palestinian Medical Forum – the student branch. He clarified that the Faculty is keen to empower the generation of medicine graduates and young scientists by giving them opportunities to achieve practical scientific achievements before graduation.
Dr. Muhammad Al-Kashif, Director of Palestinian Medical Forum, asserted that specialized medical education and training aims at improving doctors’ skills, broadening their professional viewpoint in following recent medical advancements, and boosting communication skills. He continued, “Training linked to medical practice is new orientation for developing groups empowered by practice and learning combined”
Dr. Othman Al-Agha, Head of the Medical Branch of Palestinian Medical Forum, noted that medical education has never been limited to only serving, but to becoming a genuine partnership among parties and components of the medical education process, with all parties understanding their role in making the process successful. The conference was part of the Palestinian Medical Forum’s vision which aimed to prepare a generation of doctors capable of meeting community needs.
Sessions of the 1st day
On the first day of the Conference, Dr. Nidal Abu Hadrous chaired an interactive session titled with “Medical Education in Palestine – Reality and Challenges”. The second session was chaired by Dr. Anwar Alsheikh Khalil who addressed the experiences of international institutions in supporting medical education. In the intervals of the conference, visitors had a tour in the affiliated exhibition of companies’ medical products.
Sessions of the 2nd day
First scientific session
Scientific sessions were held throughout four scientific sessions. The first one was chaired by Prof. Ibrahem Alastal, and Prof. Amaar Dawood addressing the philosophy of medical education in light of recent changes. Mr. Abdullah Ramadan spoke about the assessment of medical education in Palestine during COVID-19 pandemic, while Mr. Mustafa Abu Jayyab disscussed the effect of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic on medical students in Gaza City. Ms. Ameera Alazaar referred to e-learning experience in medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gaza Strip, and Dr. Shayma Seyam reviewed a proposed scenario for using the “augmented reality” technique in teaching the curricula of the Faculty of Medicine. And finally, Dr. Wea’m Shaikh Aid addressed the issue of digital educational competencies needed for the members of the Faculty of Medicine during COVID-19 pandemic.
Second scientific session
The second session was chaired by Prof. Khamis Elessi, at which Dr. Mhoira Leng discussed transformational education as an essential paradigm for medical education. Dr. Bakr Abujarad invistigated students’ perceptions of e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic in the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Tamer Abdalghafoor highlighted the future use of technology in medical education after COVID-19 pandemic and the literature review of recent publications and experiences. Dr. Tayseer Afifi discussed medical students’ perception of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and remarks for improvement. Prof. Sewar Alejla reviewed students’ perspectives on clinical teaching in Palestinian medicine faculties. Prof. Abd Alkarim Sammour in a cross-sectional study illustrated the awareness levels of continuing medical education activities among health-care professionals in the Gaza Strip.
Third scientific session
The third session was chaired by Prof. Abdelraouf Elmanama, at which Dr. Ezzaldean Qouta referred to the continuing medical education in Gaza that comes with a few big leaps. Prof. Fawzi Sharaf drew a comparison of medical students’ curricula between the ones based on hard copies of e-learning materials and the ones based on team discussion. Dr. Ahmed Alshorafa drew attention to the evaluation of medical training program at Ministry of Health in Gaza. Dr. Nabil Albarqouni stated the effect of quality improvement initiatives, including continuing training programs, on newborns morbidity and mortality parameters in Gaza City. Prof. Fayez Shaladan discussed challenges facing medical students in Palestinian universities during the clincal phase and methods to overcome them.
Forth scientific session
The fourth session was chaired by Prof. Yousef Aljeesh, where Dr. Khamis Elessi referred to the expected skills from newly graduated medical students. Dr. Tawfiq Shubier addressed the perseverance and problem solving skills among the students of both medical and engineering facultis at IUG. Mr. Ayham Abu Elqomboz spoke about the future of the new medical graduates. Prof. Fawzi Sharaf discussed the subject of the Palestinian physicists who joind CPD in terms of current practice, motivation, and barrieres.
Conference Recommendations
Participants of the conference suggested several recommendations that include teaching the skills needed for medical education, creating interactive learning that seeks to manage education through blended learning, and focusing on both e-learning and face-to-face learning. They also suggested the need of introducing an student-based education following the productivity of their work, which could be achieved by developing their medical skills and involving them in task groups.
